ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Aggregates Levy

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of aggregates were (a) quarried and (b) recycled in each of the five years (i) before and (ii) since the introduction of the aggregates levy.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 27 February 2006
	I have been asked to reply.
	Quarried and dredged aggregate
	The aggregates levy applies to the whole of the United Kingdom. Data is not available on the amount of aggregate quarried", or extracted" because producers keep no such records. Great Britain sales data, sometimes erroneously described as production", is available from the Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry (AMRI) undertaken by the Office for National Statistics under commission from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Trade and Industry.
	Data on the sales of aggregate in Northern Ireland comes from their Annual Minerals Statement that provides data on all mineral production. Because this data does not provide sufficient detail to enable clear identification of aggregates, the available figures exceed the amounts of aggregate that have been produced. Combining these sources produces the following table:
	
		UK sales of aggregate extracted on land and from the seabed from 1995–2004
		
			 Tonnes million 
			  Great Britain Northern Ireland United Kingdom 
		
		
			 1995 240.5 22.1 262.6 
			 1996 214.9 25.1 240.0 
			 1997 220.2 21.6 241.8 
			 1998 217.7 22.4 240.1 
			 1999 220.8 22.8 243.6 
			 2000 219.5 24.0 243.5 
			 2001 222.0 26.2 248.2 
			 2002 209.3 23.5 232.8 
			 2003 203.7 23.6 227.3 
			 2004 213.8 25.7 239.5 
		
	
	There was a fall in sales between 2001 and 2003 but an increase in 2004. The Office for National Statistics is currently examining the reasons for this. One factor may be an increase in the number of quarries surveyed in the AMRI following a review of, and additions to, the list of quarries that were surveyed.
	Recycled aggregate
	Data on the amount of construction demolition and excavation waste used as aggregate comes from surveys of Arisings and Use of Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste as Aggregate", commissioned by ODPM. These surveys have collected data for 1999, 2001 and 2003 only. A contract for a 2005 survey has been placed recently but results will not be available until early 2007. Although the 1999 and 2001 surveys included analysis for England and Wales, the 2003 survey covered England. Therefore, the complete time series is for England only. There are no data available for Scotland or Northern Ireland.
	
		Construction demolition and excavation waste crushed and/or screened for use as aggregate in England in 1999, 2001 and 2003
		
			  Tonnes million 
		
		
			 1999 22.0 
			 2001 36.4 
			 2003 39.6

Airguns

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to tackle misuse of air weapons against (a) domestic pets and (b) wildlife.

Ben Bradshaw: This Government are committed to high standards of welfare for all animals.
	Currently, the Protection of Animals Act 1911 prevents wanton acts that cause unnecessary suffering to any animal, wild or domestic. This includes any suffering or death caused by the misuse of air weapons. The Animal Welfare Bill will strengthen the protection available, for example through tougher penalties for serious offences. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 gives additional protection to wild animals and birds.

Avian Influenza

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action is being taken to protect pets from avian influenza.

Ben Bradshaw: If a case of H5N1 is found in Great Britain, owners of pet birds would be asked to keep their birds indoors. Infection in any other pet species is believed to be very rare but we have commissioned scientific advice on the recent infection of a cat in Germany.
	Information on effective biosecurity and surveillance has already been produced for hobby keepers of birds and for local veterinary practices. Owners should also make use of advice and information, which is available on the avian influenza pages of the Defra website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm.

Avian Influenza

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the poultry flock is registered; and what percentage of flocks of (a) above and (b) below 50 birds are registered.

Ben Bradshaw: Information from enforcement officers and from other data sets about poultry held by government suggest there are at least 6,200 holdings with 50 or more birds. As at 28 February 2006, 17,691 poultry premises had registered on the GB Poultry Register, including both compulsory and voluntary registrations. These figures suggest that poultry owners have responded positively to the requirement to register their flocks on the GB Poultry Register.
	Further information, including an analysis of flock sizes, will be made available on the Defra website later this month.

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has held with the British Veterinary Association on the introduction of pre-movement testing for bovine tuberculosis in cattle herds.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra has held regular meetings with the veterinary profession on the introduction of pre-movement testing. The views of veterinary groups were also taken into account as part of our public consultation exercise, and by the TB Stakeholder Group on pre-movement testing.
	We have also appointed an independent advisor to carry out a rapid survey of veterinary capacity and preparedness to deliver the new requirements for pre-movement testing from 27 March.

Bovine TB

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will provide assistance towards the costs of pre-movement tuberculosis testing of cattle; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Cost sharing on animal health issues between Government and industry is a key part of our Animal Health and Welfare Strategy. As there are benefits to herd owners from buying or selling cattle with additional disease assurance, it is right that they should share the cost of tests which are outside the routine surveillance programme. The Government continue to fund the provision of tuberculin and all routine surveillance testing at a cost of over £40 million per annum.

Countryside Agency (Designations)

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has recently discussed with the Countryside Agency the designation of new (a) National Parks and (b) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: My officials talk regularly to staff from the Countryside Agency on a variety of matters but it is the agency's responsibility to decide whether to make a designation order for any area in England. The agency is due to carry out a review programme for National Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boundaries. This may also examine the merits of designating any new areas.
	Meanwhile, the process of designating the South Downs as a new National Park is ongoing and a public inquiry has now been held. The full inspector's report will be considered by the Secretary of State on receipt.

Departmental Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by her Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 2004–05.

Jim Knight: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was created in June 2001.
	The annual spending on (a) gas and (b) electricity at buildings for which Defra and its Executive Agencies have contractual responsibility was as follows:
	
		£000
		
			  Gas Electricity 
		
		
			 2001–02 1,331,589 2,292,248 
			 2002–03 1,337,644 2,583,077 
			 2003–04 1,423,414 2,361,546 
			 2004–05 1,459,602 2,779,828

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent by her Department on media training in each year since 1997–98.

Jim Knight: Defra was formed in June 2001; information on media training is not held centrally prior to that date. Media training expenditure through the centrally held budget managed by Defra's Communications Directorate since that date is as follows:
	
		
			 FY £ 
		
		
			 2001–02 56,198.44 
			 2002–03 31,313.75 
			 2003–04 28,728.75 
			 2004–05 66,616.62 
			 2005–06 65,096.78 
		
	
	These payments have been made to a company providing television and radio interview training . This training has enabled senior Defra delivery staff to accept invitations from regional media to do factual interviews explaining their work.
	Providing details of non-centralized Defra spend would incur disproportionate cost.

Farm Incomes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the average farm income for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The average net farm income for farms in England for each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table.
	
		Average net farm income in England
		
			 £/farm(1) 
			  March/February  Nominal terms In real terms at 2004–05 prices 
		
		
			 1995–96 38,200 47,800 
			 1996–97 31,700 38,800 
			 1997–98 15,200 18,000 
			 1998–99 11,500 13,200 
			 1999–2000 8,700 9,800 
			 2000–01 10,600 11,600 
			 2001–02(2) 14,900 16,100 
			 2002–03 16,600 17,600 
			 2003–04 29,500 30,400 
			 2004–05 21,200 21,200 
		
	
	(1) All farm types, including horticulture.
	2 Excluding farms subjected to compulsory foot and mouth disease cull.
	Note:
	1. Deflated by the Retail Price Index.
	Source:
	Farm Business Survey.
	Net farm income is the return to the principal farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour and to the tenant-type capital of the business.

Single Payment Scheme

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact on farmers in West Lancashire of late payments of the single farm payment.

Jim Knight: The first SPS payments reached farmers on 20 February. This is in line with the forecast the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) made over a year ago and well within the EU regulatory window of 1 December 2005 to 30 June 2006. The RPA is now in the process of authorising over £300 million worth of claims for payment and remains on track to pay the bulk of the £1.6 billion to English farmers by the end of March.
	All evidence to date suggests no otherwise viable businesses will fail because of the timing of these payments, but I know cash flow is currently an important issue for a number of farmers and that the start of payments has, consequently, been widely welcomed.

Single Payment Scheme

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Rural Payments Agency on the efficiency and accuracy of their computer systems; and whether the Agency has allocated the correct single farm payment to each farm.

Jim Knight: My noble Friend Lord Bach has regular meetings with senior officials of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to review progress towards making payments under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). All operational issues, for example resources, systems and business processes are discussed.
	RPA also uses the Office for Government Commerce Gateway Review process to peer review the progress they are making with the programme of work.
	I am pleased to confirm that the first SPS payments were released by the RPA on 20 February 2006. As part of the process there is a review of the proposed payment before it is authorised. There is of course, as a matter of customer service, a process for customers to appeal on grounds of fact if they believe there is a material error in their payment.

Single Payment Scheme

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will make provision to reimburse farmers for the interest they have lost from the single farm payment as a result of the delays in payments being made.

Jim Knight: The payment window for the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) 2005 as set by EU legislation opens on 1 December 2005 and runs until 30 June 2006.
	Further to the announcement I made on 31 January 2006, I am pleased to report that the first SPS payments were released by the Rural Payments Agency on 20 February 2006. The bulk of payments are expected to be complete by the end of March, and I expect all payments will be made well within the regulatory payment window.
	Under the circumstances it is not appropriate to pay interest.

Organic Farming

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in Staffordshire have been registered under the Organic Entry Level Scheme.

Jim Knight: As at 16 February 2006, three applications have been received by the West Midlands Rural Development Service, one of these has generated a full agreement.

Public Information

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on the Department's public relations and information services in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Public Relations
	With regard to public relations expenditure incurred by Defra's Communications Directorate since 2001, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2385W, relevant details of which are as follows:
	
		
			 Date Agency Cost (£) Project 
		
		
			 2002 Good Relations 5,900 Sustainable Food and Farming 
			 2002 Biss Lancaster 189,366.67 Your countryside your welcome 
			 2002 Red 121,848,93 Illegal Imports 
			 2002 Country Porter Novelli 16,243 Sustainable Development 
			 2003 Forster Company 11,170 Darwin Initiative 
			 July 2004-March 2005 Media Moguls 261,558.70 Illegal Food Imports Campaign Phase 1 
			 August 2005-present Media Moguls 22,362.31 Illegal Food Imports Campaign Phase 2 
			 January-May 2005 Amazon Public Relations 55,904.84 Launch of the Sustainable Development Strategy 
			 August 2005 to date Amazon Public; Relations 18,750 Sustainable Development case; studies 
			 October 2005 to March 2006 Weber Shandwick 60,000 Climate Change 
		
	
	Inclusion of non-centralized Defra spend would incur disproportionate cost.
	(b) Information Services
	The Department does not maintain separate records of its expenditure for information services. Expenditure can only be indicated through the centrally held budget managed by Defra's Communications Directorate, and covers all paid publicity activity. Inclusion of non-centralized Defra spend would incur disproportionate cost. Expenditure for the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Expenditure (£ million) 
		
		
			 2001–02 6.6 
			 2002–03 4.7 
			 2003–04 3.7 
			 2004–05 6.8 
			 2005–06 (2)3.9 
		
	
	(2) Budgeted expenditure for FY 2005–06

Waste Incineration

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's plans are to increase mass-burn incineration of waste.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities are responsible for deciding the most appropriate waste management facilities for their areas and currently recover energy from about 9 per cent. of municipal waste via incineration. Economic modelling undertaken to inform the Government's current waste strategy review suggests that this may increase to about 25 per cent. nationally by 2020. This is less than was forecast in Waste Strategy 2000 due to our expected better performance on recycling.

Wind Farms

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on the application for the transfer of common land on Scout Moor to facilitate the building of a wind farm.

Jim Knight: Following a public inquiry into joint applications under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and section 147 of the Inclosure Act 1845, the inspector has submitted his recommendations to the relevant Secretaries of State. We are currently seeking to resolve a number of detailed issues relating to the application under section 147 of the 1845 Act and expect to reach a decision shortly.

PRIME MINISTER

British Overseas Territories

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Cabinet Minister with responsibility for British Overseas Territories.

Tony Blair: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Jack Straw) is the Cabinet Minister with responsibility for British Overseas Territories.

Council Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers had council tax bills on official residences paid for by Government departments since May 1997; and for how long such payments have been made.

Tony Blair: The detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Office on media training in each year since 1997–98.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy) today.

Flood Defences (Shrewsbury)

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit flood defences in Shrewsbury.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1039W.

Guantanamo Bay

Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with (a) the President of the United States and (b) the United Nations on the call from the United Nations Economic Social Research Council Commission on Human Rights, contained in paragraph 96 of report E/CN.4/2006/120, for the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay to be closed; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: It is important to remember the circumstances which led to Guantanamo Bay's establishment. Nearly 3,000 people were killed during the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. We remain determined to work with our allies to defeat the scourge of global terrorism.
	We have made it clear that we regard the circumstances under which detainees continue to be held in Guantanamo Bay as unacceptable. Guantanamo Bay is an anomaly that should come to an end sooner rather than later. The US Government, and the UN, are fully aware of our views.

Queen's Birthday

Anne Main: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's 80th birthday in his official capacity; and what assessment he has made of plans for the celebration.

Tony Blair: I shall be attending the official celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen's 80th birthday including the National Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Sustainable Development Commission

David Drew: To ask the Prime Minister how often he meets the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a wide range of subjects, including members of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.

Tibet

Mike Hancock: To ask the Prime Minister when he last raised human rights in Tibet with the Chinese Government.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 64W to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow).

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Museums

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on public funding for regional museums.

James Purnell: The information is as follows.
	Public funding is provided both through local authorities and my Department.
	My Department is committing a targeted £77 million to English regional museums in 2006–08, through the Renaissance in the Regions programme.
	Regional museums are also able to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and, for those with Designated collections, the Designated Challenge Fund.

Section 106 Agreements (Sports Facilities)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many section 106 agreements have led to additional sports facilities since 1997.

Richard Caborn: Information on the numbers of section 106 agreements that have led to additional sports facilities is not held centrally.
	However, the Government believe that new developments should contribute to meeting the increased recreational needs of our communities through new and enhanced facilities for sport and this is clearly set out in the planning guidance for open space, sport and recreation—(PPG 17).
	To that end Sport England work closely with local authorities to actively promote the use of planning obligations to bring benefits for sport.

BBC

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport If she will make a statement on her plans for future funding of the BBC through the licence fee.

Tessa Jowell: As stated in the Green Paper, A strong BBC, independent of government", published in March 2005, the BBC will continue to be funded by the licence fee for the whole of the next Charter period.
	The Government are currently conducting a funding review to determine the level of the television licence fee to apply from April 2007 and will announce the outcome in due course.

BBC

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the White Paper on the BBC is expected; and what arrangements she has made for its launch.

Tessa Jowell: I intend to publish the White Paper on BBC Charter review very shortly and will make appropriate arrangements for its launch.

BBC

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many complaints have been received by TV Licensing in the last 12 months in relation to records held by TV Licensing for postal addresses that do not exist;
	(2)  what progress has been made by TV Licensing towards maintaining accurate householder and postal address records.

James Purnell: The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and TV Licensing carries out the day to day administration under contract to the Corporation. I have therefore asked the BBC's Head of Revenue Management to consider the questions raised by my hon. Friend and to write to her direct. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of funds awarded by the Big Lottery Fund in 200405 went to the four original good causes.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave earlier to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory).

National Lottery

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much lottery funding each ward in each local authority in Hampshire classified as disadvantaged has received over the last three years; and what percentage this represented of total lottery funding in each local authority area.

Richard Caborn: There is no agreed definition that classifies an area as either deprived or not deprived.
	However, information on the number and value of lottery awards by ward and local authority, including in Hampshire, is available on the Department's lottery awards database at www.lottery.culture.gsi.gov.uk

Digital Television

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's targeted assistance programme for digital switchover.

James Purnell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to the hon. Member for North-East Milton Keynes (Mr. Lancaster).

Local Authorities (Art Sales)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will discourage local authorities from selling works of art as a way of balancing their budgets.

James Purnell: The Code of Ethics of the Museums Association, specifies that any decision to dispose of items should not be made with the principal aim of generating funds. I understand that MLA is currently in discussion with those bodies that have recently announced their intention to sell some paintings.

Sports Participation

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase participation in sport.

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase participation in sport.

Richard Caborn: The Department is committed to its public service agreement target of increasing levels of participation in sport by priority groups by 3 per cent. by 2008. We are implementing a range of measures to achieve this.

Library Services

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure library services are maintained at the current level.

James Purnell: We are seeking to encourage the best possible library services through measures like the Public Library Service Standards and the publication of Framework for the Future, the first ever national strategy document.
	However, ultimately, it is for the 149 library authorities in England to decide how best to deliver those services for their own communities.

Newcastle Gateshead Initiative

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her Department's involvement with the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative.

Tessa Jowell: My Department continues to support the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative through the work of bodies for which I am responsible, particularly Arts Council England. I fully endorse Newcastle Gateshead Initiative's belief that culture is a powerful catalyst for regeneration.

Arts Council England

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is Government policy to reduce the establishment of the Arts Council England; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: One of the recommendations in the report of the Peer Review of Arts Council England (ACE), published in December 2005, was around the establishment of a more streamlined, strategic National Office. This recommendation, along with the others in the report, is endorsed by both ACE and DCMS. With our support, ACE is now undertaking a review of the role and structure of its National Office, the initial findings of which are due at the end of March 2006.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the policy of her Department is regarding sourcing goods from Burma.

Richard Caborn: The Department does not actively or intentionally source goods from Burma. Its procurement policy is in line with the Government's procurement policy based on value for money, the EU and World Trade Organisation procurement rules and its own policy objectives. The Department has a sustainable timber policy and also takes into account advice from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the procurement of legal and sustainable timber.

Casinos

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which places have submitted expressions of interest for super and regional casinos; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 837W.
	Since then, one local authorityBedfordhas clarified that it is interested in a large rather than the regional casino. In addition, one further authorityNewporthas indicated that it is interested in the regional casino.

Cinema Attendance

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what change there has been in cinema attendance figures since 1997.

James Purnell: Since 1997 cinema attendance figures in the UK have risen by 18.5 per cent. from 138,922,379 at the end of 1997, to 164,691,778 at the end of 2005.
	This compares to a 17.9 per cent. rise in France, 4.8 per cent. rise in Italy, and a drop of 11 per cent. in Germany.

Departmental Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 200405.

Richard Caborn: In the year 200405 the Department spent the following amounts:
	Gas: 45,002
	Electricity: 227,002

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by her Department on media training in each year since 199798.

Richard Caborn: The Department does not record media training separately from other forms of training.

Licensing

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from voluntary groups on the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The Department has received a number of representations on the Licensing Act 2003 from voluntary groups, including one from the hon. Member enclosing correspondence concerning voluntary workers in old people's homes. Ministers are currently considering the views of a wide range of organisations, including some which represent voluntary groups, on the Temporary Events Notice regime. In addition, the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel has taken evidence from a number of organisations that represent voluntary and not-for-profits groups.

Licensing

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many licences for the sale of alcohol over 24 hours have been granted in (a) Swansea East and (b) Wales.

James Purnell: This information is held by local licensing authorities.

London Olympics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department plans to take to encourage a worldwide Olympic truce during the 2012 London Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The Host City Contract signed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Mayor of London (on behalf of the City) and the British Olympic Association (BOA) sets out that the City, the BOA and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games will promote the principles of Olympism, including the Olympic Truce.
	Furthermore, it is customary for each country hosting the Olympic Games to table a resolution in the UN General Assembly in advance of the Games which urges member states to observe the Olympic Truce for the duration of the competition. The UK has co-sponsored these resolutions in advance of recent Games. I anticipate that the UK will wish to maintain the custom when London hosts the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2012.

London Olympics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procurement guidelines are being used for contracts awarded for the 2012 London Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The London Development Agency and Transport for London are letting contracts in advance of the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The contracts will be let on the basis of a number of established and objective criteria, including cost, quality and capacity to deliver.
	The interim ODA is preparing a procurement policy building upon the 'Procurement Principles' it published in September 2005 which set out its commitment to sustainability, design quality, local benefits, regeneration, legacy use and best value for money.

London Olympics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are in place to ensure that black and ethnic minority businesses receive a representational proportion of contracts awarded for the 2012 London Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The interim Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently developing the ODA's procurement policy which will set out the ODA's policy on supplier diversity. The Government, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency are determined to ensure that London and UK-based businesses, including minority-led businesses, are able to bid for and be successful in accessing contracting and subcontracting opportunities arising either directly or indirectly as a result of the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games, and are in discussion about a range of programmes to support these businesses.

London Olympics

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the East of England Steering Group for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games regarding the opportunities for Peterborough to play a role in the 2012 London Olympics.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has had no discussions with the East of England Steering Group for the 2012 games.
	However, departmental officials are working with the East of England Steering Group through the Nations and Regions Group to ensure the whole of the UK is engaged with and realises the benefitseconomic, social and sportingfrom the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games.
	The East of England Steering Group will be producing a plan to ensure the whole of the region, including Peterborough, benefits from the games.

Museums (Purchasing)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will reintroduce a special grant for national galleries and museums to buy works of art that suddenly and unexpectedly come onto the market.

James Purnell: There are no plans to introduce a special grant for national galleries and museums to buy works of art that suddenly and unexpectedly come onto the market.
	National museums and galleries sponsored by DCMS can purchase acquisitions using grant in aid, lottery grant, or self-generated income, including bequests and donations, and can apply for grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the Art Fund.

New Opportunities Fund

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been (a) committed and (b) distributed by the New Opportunities Fund since its creation.

Richard Caborn: The table shows money committed and distributed by the New Opportunities Fund since its creation until 31 January 2006.
	
		New Opportunities Fund
		
			   
		
		
			 Commitments 3,237,075,213 
			 Lapsed/revoked 152,602,030 
			 Distributed 2,251,447,190

Sports Bodies

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what role the Government plans for (a) local sports councils and (b) sports trusts.

Richard Caborn: It is envisaged that local sports councils will have a key role in shaping and delivering sport at the local level as part of the emerging Community Sports Networks which are alliances of local delivery agents working in partnership to increase participation in sport at a local level.
	The Audit Commission is currently undertaking a study into the different types of management arrangements available to local authorities for operating leisure services and how they approach the task of choosing the option best suited to local needs. This is expected to include a consideration of the potential implications of each of these options, including for charitable sports trusts.
	I will ensure a copy of the study is placed in the Libraries of both Houses once it is published.

Wembley Stadium

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the construction of Wembley stadium.

Richard Caborn: Multiplex, the building contractors, are working hard to finish Wembley stadium as quickly as possible but have been unable to give the Football Association (FA) the 100 per cent. guarantee it needs that the stadium will be completed in time to host the 2006 FA cup final.
	A written ministerial statement was made to the House on 27 February 2006 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
	Wembley stadium will be well worth the wait; it will be the best stadium in the world and a great piece of construction engineering. Millions of people will enjoy Wembley stadium and the whole country will take pride in it.

World Cup

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the stadium venues for this year's football World Cup she has visited.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not recently visited any of the stadia to be used in the 2006 Football World Cup in Germany.

TRANSPORT

A5 Ring Road

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had about upgrading the A5 ring road in Shrewsbury as an alternative to the north west relief road.

Stephen Ladyman: The Secretary of State has had no discussions about the upgrading of the A5 ring road as an alternative to the north west relief road.

Aircraft Movements

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to establish on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 US-registered aircraft (a) N44982, formerly N8068V and N379P and (b) N313P have landed at a UK airport.

Karen Buck: holding answer 2 March 2006
	I have agreed that Eurocontrol should release their data to Dick Marty, chair of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on a confidential basis in order to contribute to their inquiry into rendition.

Bingley Relief Road

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are waiting for compensation payments agreed with his Department for the work carried out on the Bingley relief road; and when he expects outstanding payments to be paid.

Stephen Ladyman: As at 1 March, the Highways Agency's valuers (the Valuation Office Agency) have agreed terms with 619 claimants of which 26 have been processed for payment by 7 March. The Highways Agency is waiting for responses to a further 834 compensation offers. Claims will be processed for payment in a rolling programme as soon as all the necessary procedures have been completed. We would expect the majority of the claims to have been paid no later than February 2007.

Digital Smart Cards

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) company, (b) vehicle and (c) driver digital smart cards he expects to have been issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by 1 May 2006.

Stephen Ladyman: Since July 2005 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have issued 2,751 company cards and 11,110 driver cards. It is not possible to estimate how many will be issued by 1 May 2006, as this will depend on the number of applications the DVLA receives. There is no vehicle digital smart card.

Driving Hours Rules

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of extending the hours rules to cover drivers of (a) school buses and (b) commercial vans.

Stephen Ladyman: There are two sets of rules governing drivers' hours in the UK. Most drivers of school buses and commercial vans operate under the UK domestic drivers' hours legislation as opposed to the European Union (EU) Regulations which require the use of tachographs. This is because buses on routes less than 50 kilometres, and goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, are specifically exempted from the EU Regulations.
	A new EU Regulation on drivers' hours has recently been adopted by the EU institutions. Although, during negotiations, consideration was given to extending the scope of the new regulation to include all buses on routes less than 50 kilometres and light vans between 2.8 and 3.5 tonnes, this change was not made.

Driving Hours Rules

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of extending road transport drivers' hours rules to cover the drivers of cars being used for business purposes.

Stephen Ladyman: We have made no such assessment. However, the Driving at work guidance for employers published by the Department and the Health and Safety Executive jointly in September 2003 covers such things as the need for company drivers to have realistic schedules and to consider the need for proper rest, especially after a long working day. That guidance is available online at:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg382.pdf.

Driving Licences

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will raise the age for provisional driving licences to 18 years.

Stephen Ladyman: We have no plans to do so. We decided in 2004, following a substantial consultation exercise on a structured approach to learning to drive, that further statutory regulation on the way new drivers learn would be unlikely to make enough of a contribution to road safety to justify legislative action at present.

Foreign-based Freight Operators

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Vehicle and Operator Services Agency lead prosecutions have taken place of (a) UK and (b) foreign-based freight operators over the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The following table represents UK operators and driver/operators prosecuted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) from 200102 to date. Data prior to this date is not held by VOSA. VOSA does not hold central data on the prosecution of foreign based operators.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200102 8,692 
			 200203 8,718 
			 200304 6,830 
			 200405 4,927

Haulage Industry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the last review of the regulation of the UK's haulage industry was carried out.

Stephen Ladyman: We have recently carried out a review of the goods vehicle operator licensing system and we published a consultation paperModernising Operator Licensingon 19 December. This sets out proposals for a streamlined regulatory system for the road haulage industry which would reduce administrative burdens for operators while maintaining safety standards. Copies of the paper are available in the Library. The consultation closes on 31 March.

Haulage Industry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the prospects for the UK haulage industry; and what estimate he has made of the number of commercial haulage operators over the next five years.

Stephen Ladyman: A joint industry and Government task group is considering the issues raised by the The Burns Report (published by the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association), and a number of other important issues that affect the efficiency of the haulage industry.
	The Department has made no estimate of the number of commercial operators over the next five years. However, to help the industry to improve its performance and competitiveness, the Department funds the Freight Best Practice programme (at a cost of around 1 million per annum) to identify areas where best practice exists and disseminate information and guides for haulage industry.

HGV Drivers

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and for what offences (a) non-UK-based and (b) UK-based HGV drivers were prosecuted in the UK in 2005.

Stephen Ladyman: Full details of the enforcement activities of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are published annually in their Effectiveness Report which is available from www.vosa.gov.uk or the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport section.

HGV Drivers

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the (a) demand for and (b) supply of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK; and how many HGV drivers are registered in the UK, broken down by age.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport is funding a research programme by Skills for Logistics that will:
	Assess the HGV driver trainer pool
	Profile the job of an HGV driver
	Profile potential recruits into HGV driver occupation
	Use the information from the above to assess matching of supply and demand
	The numbers of Substantive HGV licence holders by age category in Great Britain at January 2006 was:
	
		
			 Age category Licence holders 
		
		
			 17 to 20 709 
			 21 to 25 20,928 
			 26 to 30 57,055 
			 31 to 35 121,063 
			 36 to 40 201,254 
			 41 to 45 226,242 
			 46 to 50 193,803 
			 51 to 55 169,514 
			 56 to 60 183,822 
			 61 to 65 133,057 
			 66 to 70 72,696 
			 71 plus 7,042 
			 Total 1,387,185 
		
	
	To assist the industry in reducing a shortfall in vocational driving, the Young Large Goods Vehicles Drivers Scheme was modernised in April 2003 by relaxing the existing qualifications required by young drivers to join.
	In 2004, the fee to add vocational driving entitlement to the licence was abolished.

HGV Licences

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many non-UK EU nationals have been issued with a UK heavy goods vehicle licence in the last two years.

Stephen Ladyman: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency exchanged 14,015 non-British driving licences for British Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) and or Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) entitlement over the last two years.

HGV Licences

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles operator licences have been (a) revoked and (b) partially revoked in the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Statistics on the outcome of Traffic Commissioners' Inquiries are published in the Traffic commissioners' Annual Report available from the House of Commons Library or www.dft.gsi.gov.uk.
	The following table represents the number of operator licences revoked and suspended in the last five calendar years.
	
		
			 Calendar year Revoked Suspended 
		
		
			 2001 255 198 
			 2002 278 167 
			 2003 267 155 
			 2004 247 165 
			 2005 226 135 
		
	
	An operator licence cannot be partially revoked, it can be suspended. A suspended operator is not allowed to operate either all or part of a fleet for a period specified by the Traffic Commissioner.

Historic Vehicles

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the operation of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 does not prevent the use of historic vehicles for tourist services; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: We do not envisage that the Act will prevent the continued use of historic vehicles on tourist services.
	The rail provisions of the Act require that an end-date is set of no later than 1 January 2020 by which time all rail vehicles must be subject to the requirements of rail vehicle accessibility regulations. However, the Act also empowers the Secretary of State to exempt entire railway networks, as well as specified vehicles, and we made clear during the passage of the legislation that we intended to use that power in relation to heritage networks, many of which are essentially tourist services, so as to allow the vehicles serving those networks to continue to operate beyond the end-date. We will be consulting on the revised accessibility regulations, and the draft order to exempt specified networks, shortly.
	The 2005 Act amended the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to enable the exemption from the duties set out in Part 3 of that Act for operators of transport vehicles to be lifted. We have used that power to make regulations that will come into force on 4 December 2006 but they will not require any physical adjustments to be made to rail vehicles and so will not impact on the physical structure of historic vehicles.

Identity Fraud

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in reducing identity fraud via the misuse of driving licences.

Stephen Ladyman: Whilst the main function of the driving licence is to convey entitlement to drive, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency recognises that driving licences are accepted as evidence of identity in a wide range of contexts. To prevent misuse of the licence in identity crime, the Agency operates stringent identity checking procedures so that driving licences are granted only after it is satisfied with the evidence of identity supplied.
	All staff handling driving licence applications have been trained in the detection of counterfeit and forged documents, using materials supplied by United Kingdom Passport Agency, Office for National Statistics and the Home Office National Document Fraud Unit.
	DVLA is also engaged fully in the Home Office Identity Fraud Reduction Programme, which promotes collaborative working between the public and private sectors and identifies and co-ordinates a range of projects and initiatives to reduce identity crime generally.

Large Goods Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many large goods vehicles not owned by fleets with a British O licence used British roads in 200405;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of vehicles registered outside the UK using roads in the UK in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 28W, which gave estimates of the number of foreign registered vehicles leaving the UK in each year from 1997 to 2004. Corresponding information is not yet available for 2005 about the number of cars (including minibuses and light goods vehicles), and estimates are not made about the number of coaches. The corresponding 2005 estimate for goods vehicles is 1,614,000.

Large Goods Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) goods and (b) heavy goods vehicle registrations were issued in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of licensed goods and large goods vehicles (LGV) in Great Britain in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Large goods vehicles Goods vehicles Total 
		
		
			 January to December
			 2001 273,621 50,121 323,742 
			 2002 282,989 43,006 325,995 
			 2003 317,333 35,179 352,512 
			 2004 340,479 33,595 374,074 
			 2005 329,233 33,918 363,151

Lay-bys

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on the frequency of lay-bys on (a) express ways and (b) A roads; and what estimate he has made of the cost of creating a new lay-by.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport's policy on the type, location and frequency of lay-bys on new all-purpose trunk roads is contained in the Highways Agency's Advice Note TA 69/96, The Location and Layout of Lay-Bys.
	The policy for the provision of new lay-bys on existing roads, including roads designated expressways, depends on the identification of a specific local need. The cost of a new lay-by has to be justified and prioritised against other safety related improvement work.
	The desirable spacing of lay-bys on all, new, all-purpose dual carriageway trunk roads is between two and five kilometres. On all new single carriageway all-purpose trunk roads, the spacing of lay-bys is dependent on the traffic flow. The desirable frequency on these roads should be between two and 12 kilometres.
	The cost of providing a new lay-by as part of a new road scheme or on an existing road varies considerably. It depends on the individual site conditions, availability of land and requirement for retaining structures etc. but the average cost is approximately 200,000.

M20

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions the Highways Agency has had with Maidstone borough council concerning the resurfacing between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency has regular dialogue with Maidstone borough council however, there have been no discussions concerning the resurfacing between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20.

Motorway Services

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received during the past two years in respect of the regulations in force regarding the operation of motorway service stations; from whom they were received; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: During the last two years the Department has received representations concerning the regulations governing motorway service areas from a number of bodies including: the Motorway Service Area Operators Committee, RoadChef Limited, Welcome Break Limited, Moto Hospitality Limited, the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the RAC Foundation, the AA Motoring Trust and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
	The Highways Agency is currently conducting, at my request, a review of policy on motorway service areas, and other roadside facilities, with a view to improving services to motorists but not so that service areas would become destinations in their own right.
	As part of this review I intend to carry out a public consultation on proposed changes to the policy guidance during the spring. It would therefore not be appropriate to make a statement at this time.

Railways

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the proportion of trains running between Doncaster and Sheffield that stop at Rotherham Central station.

Derek Twigg: Services at Rotherham Central are provided by the Northern rail franchise. This franchise has been under review, and I expect to announce conclusions in due course.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account will be taken of representations from the East Midlands regional assembly in deciding on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Before a final decision is made about the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track, all interested parties including the East Midlands regional assembly will be consulted and their views taken into account.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Department expects to meet Network Rail to discuss the findings of Network Rail's review of the provision of railway test facilities in the UK.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 March 2006
	The Department for Transport expects to meet Network Rail to discuss its plans for test facilities for the railway industry when their assessment of future needs of test track facilities is complete.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he used in taking the decision not to take over the ownership and operation of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 March 2006
	No decision on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton test track has yet been taken. Following Network Rail's assessment of future needs for test track facilities, if the need to retain the facility is identified, the industry will explore ways to continue the operation.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the impact on future railway industry development and research of the closure of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Before a final decision on the future of the Asfordby to Edwalton railway test track is taken, full account will be taken of the needs of the railway industry including development and research. Network Rail is currently carrying out an assessment.

Railways

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions have taken place with interested parties on the future of the Asfordby to Edwatton railway test track.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Informal discussions have taken place between the relevant stakeholders.

Road Accidents (Sheppey)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic fatalities there have been on Jenkins Hill, Sheppey, in the last 30 years.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Between 1979 and 2004 (the earliest and latest years for which figures are available) there were two fatalities resulting from personal injury road accident on the Leysdown road (B2231) between Rowetts way roundabout and the entrance to Old Rides Farm; known locally as Jenkins Hill, Sheppey. There were 16 fatalities in total on B2231 east of the Rowetts way roundabout during the period.

Road Accidents (Sheppey)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Kent county council on road safety, on Jenkins Hill in Sheppey.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 3 March 2006
	I am not aware of any specific representations made by Kent county council to the Department for Transport with regard to road safety, in particular reference to Jenkins Hill on the Isle of Sheppey.
	In common with all other highway authorities, Kent has a system of identifying areas where there is a poor safety record (in conjunction with the local police force) and develops remedial measures, which are funded through the Local Transport Plan.
	Kent county council has sought to reassure the Department that the specific issues at Jenkins Hill are being actively addressed in the same manner as part of this process.

Road Charging

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the introduction of road charging for hauliers based on road usage.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government's position was set out in the Secretary of State's statement to Parliament on the Transport Innovation Fund on 5 July 2005 and the Government's response to the Transport Select Committee's report: Road Pricing: the Next Steps, published on 20 July 2005.

Road Charging

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria he will use to determine the location of initial pilots for road pricing schemes; and what the timescale for implementation is.

Stephen Ladyman: Decisions on the allocations of TIF funds will be taken following appraisal of their business cases against the criteria set out in Transport Innovation Fund: Guidance January 2006, copies of which were placed in the Library of the House on 26 January 2006.

Road Safety

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made in dissuading motorists from using hand-held mobile telephones whilst driving.

Stephen Ladyman: Twice yearly surveys for the Department observe drivers using mobile phones as they pass a number of fixed observation points. Over 100,000 drivers are observed in each survey, conducted on weekdays. The proportion of drivers passing those observation points in the latest published survey while using a hand-held phone was 1.5 per cent. for car drivers and 2.4 per cent. for the drivers of other vehicles. This compares with 1.5 per cent. and 2.3 per cent. in September 2003.
	The most recent published results are contained in TRL's report, Lf 2097, which is available online at
	www.trl.co.uk/store/report_list.asp?pid=211pno=6searchtext=advancedsearch=allwords=submitted=1
	under 'Reports numbered 5158'.

Road Safety

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to publicise the requirement for children under the height of 1.3 metres to use an appropriate booster seat in road vehicles; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Subject to parliamentary approval of the draft regulations, the Department will be advertising the requirement for children under 135cm to use an appropriate child car seat during the summer months in national newspapers, parenting and women's magazines, national radio and on-line. We will also be working with various media to secure wider editorial features. Our key audiences will be parents, carers and others who carry children in cars and goods vehicles.

Roads Funding (Kent)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding from his Department Kent county council has received for its roads budget in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Between 1997 and 2000 Kent county council received approximately 159 million for local transport capital investment. Some additional support was provided for the South Thames-side Development Route Section 4 (in total 16 million).
	Since 2000 and the introduction of local transport plans, Kent county council has received around 160 million to support its transport budgets. This amount is provided for road maintenance and integrated transport: it is for the council to decide how much should be spent on roads. The support includes major scheme funding for the Kent Fasttrack public transport scheme.
	I have set out the information requested as follows in chart form.
	
		Kent county council
		
			  million 
			 Nature of funding(3) 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Capital Maintenance6.466 11.513 
			 Integrated Block4.411 7.600 
			 Major Schemes5.100 7.600 
			 Total 79.604 34.234 45.312 15.977 26.713 
		
	
	
		
			 Nature of funding(3) 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Capital Maintenance 12.149 15.108 16.705 19.995 
			 Integrated Block 8.129 8.926 7.896 6.375 
			 Major Schemes 3.726 0.700 8.650 8.868 
			 Total 23.998 24.728 33.251 35.199 
		
	
	(3) Figures for 199798 to 19992000 are grants supplied under the Transport Policies and Programmes, an annual bidding system.
	In addition to the above we have also completed a number of Highways Agency strategic road schemes in Kent. These include the A2/M2 Cobham to Junction 4 widening totalling around 303 million. This funding was not provided to Kent county council.

Rolling Stock

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are to be made to (a) First Great Western Trains and (b) Arriva Trains Wales rolling stock on services from Swansea under current franchise agreements.

Derek Twigg: The current First Great Western Trains franchise agreement which expires on 1 April 2006 has no further rolling stock improvements for services from Swansea. There is no specific requirement in the ATW franchise agreement about rolling stock improvements for services from Swansea.
	In the early years of the new Greater Western Franchise, First Group will invest 200 million to upgrade trains, improve stations, fund community rail and improve performance.

Sheppey Crossing Bridge

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding was made available by the Department to run the competition to name the Sheppey Crossing bridge linking Kent with the Isle of Sheppey.

Stephen Ladyman: No funds were made available by the Department to run the competition to name the Sheppey Crossing bridge. Local newspapers involved in the initiative covered their advertising costs and the winner's prize was donated by the DBFO company.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to reduce the size threshold for vehicles requiring tachographs.

Stephen Ladyman: We have no such plans. European Union (EU) Regulations require the use of tachographs in most goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes and in certain buses and coaches operating within the UK.
	Changes in the new EU Regulation on drivers' hours which has recently been adopted by the EU institutions will mean that tachographs will have to be fitted to some previously exempted vehicles by 31 December 2007. But these changes do not affect goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how long it will take for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to complete the issuing of the required numbers of (a) driver, (b) vehicle and (c) company smart cards connected with the introduction of digital tachographs.

Stephen Ladyman: As there is no requirement for a digital tachograph card until the driver or company is using or likely to use a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph unit, it is not possible for the DVLA to answer this question. The timescale by which all cards are issued will depend upon when drivers or companies apply for their driver or company cards. There is no vehicle smart card.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tachograph analysis companies are (a) operating in the UK and (b) subcontracted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) do not hold records of how many tachograph analysis companies are operating in the UK.
	(b) Currently there are three companies subcontracted by the VOSA to analyse tachograph record sheets.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles are forecast to be equipped with digital tachographs in the UK (a) by May 2006 and (b) in each of the next five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The operators and drivers of certain heavy goods and public service vehicles are required to use tachographs to record drivers' compliance with the EU drivers' hours rules.
	At the moment, either analogue or digital tachographs can be used. However, digital tachographs should become mandatory for in-scope vehicles put into service for the first time after early May 2006.
	Since digital tachographs are not yet mandatory, it is not known how many vehicles have been so equipped. The number of vehicles to be digital-tachograph equipped in each of the next five years will depend on the numbers of in-scope vehicles put into service for the first time during that period.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of digital tachographs for recently registered large goods vehicles in the UK.

Stephen Ladyman: Until digital tachographs become mandatory, operators are free to choose whether to fit analogue or digital tachographs to new vehicles. As far as the Department is aware, neither tachograph nor vehicle manufacturers are reporting any difficulties in supplying type-approved digital tachographs to whoever requires them.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what date has been set for the introduction of the digital tachograph.

Stephen Ladyman: The operators and drivers of certain heavy goods and public service vehicles are required to use tachographs to record drivers' compliance with the EU drivers' hours rules. Under Council Regulation (EC) No. 2135/98, such in-scope vehicles put into service for the first time after 5 August 2004 were required to be fitted with a digital tachograph. However, digital tachographs were not available by that date and the requirement could not be enforced.
	The Council and European Parliament agreed last December to change the August 2004 date to ensure legal clarity. This will be achieved through a clause in a new EU Regulation on drivers' hours which will amend Regulation (EC) No. 2135/98. The effect of this amendment will be to require the use of a digital tachograph in vehicles put into service for the first time from a date 20 days after formal publication of the new EU Regulation on drivers' hours. Publication is expected in early April and digital tachographs should become mandatory for new vehicles from early May 2006.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has evaluated on the quality of analysis by independent tachograph chart analysis bureaux.

Stephen Ladyman: We have not conducted an evaluationoperators make their own commercial judgments about the use and quality of independent tachograph chart analysis bureaux.

Tachographs

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tachographs were issued in the UK over the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: Tachographs are not issued as such, but the operators and drivers of certain heavy goods and public service vehicles are required to use tachographs to record drivers' compliance with the EU drivers' hours rules.

Traffic Growth (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his projections are for traffic growth on trunk roads in Peterborough in each of the next 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: There are no recent projections of traffic growth on either of the two trunk roads, the A1 and A47, within the city of Peterborough but road based journeys to and from Peterborough are forecast to increase by about 19 per cent. over the next 10 years.

Trunk Road Resurfacing

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the Government's target outlined in the 10-year Transport Plan to resurface 60 per cent. of the trunk road network by 2010 with quieter road surfacing; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: To date, the Highways Agency has resurfaced approximately 30 per cent. of the strategic road network with quieter materials.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Vehicle and Operator Services Agency inspectors there were on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many are projected for each of the next five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The following table shows a number of Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) roles including vehicle inspection. These figures are the most recent available (1 March 2006).
	
		
			 VOSA roles Number of inspectors 
		
		
			 Tester 84 
			 Traffic Examiners 216 
			 Vehicle Inspectors 422 
			 Vehicle Examiners 535 
			 Enforcement Support Officer 35 
		
	
	VOSA's value for money plans anticipate a reduction of approximately 270 mainly administrative and testing positions over the next two years in which event, VOSA intend to 're-invest' approximately 100 positions predominately in enforcement roles.
	Exact figures for specific job positions have not yet been finalised. VOSA also anticipate an increase of up to 100 mainly enforcement positions as a result of new work commencing in the next two years such as enforcement of the working time directive.
	VOSA have not currently made a prediction about staffing levels beyond the next two years.

Working Time Directive

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of non-UK registered vehicles were physically checked by (a) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and (b) the police for compliance with hours rules and Working Time Directive regulations over the past five years; and how many and what proportion of these were found not to be in compliance with (i) one and (ii) both sets of regulations.

Stephen Ladyman: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publish enforcement data annually in their Effectiveness Report which is available on www.vosa.gov.uk and in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.
	Data is not collected centrally on checks conducted by the police. The Home Office publication of prosecutions for motoring offences gives the prosecutions for certain offences but does not differentiate between UK and non-UK registered vehicles.

Working Time Directive

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the costs of compliance with the hours rule and Working Time Directive.

Stephen Ladyman: The European drivers' hours rules (Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85) were adopted in 1985 and are directly applicable. We have made no recent assessment of the compliance costs.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/639), which implemented European Directive 2002/15/EC on working time for mobile workers in Great Britain, estimated a compliance cost of 280 to 365 million per annum (copies of the RIA are available in the Libraries of the House). In practice, some early indications suggest that the compliance cost may have been overestimated. At this stage, it is still too early to assess the full impact of the regulations, but a review scheduled for later this year, will consider the actual impact on industry since they came into force in April 2005.

Working Time Directive

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the consistency of approach taken by different EU member states on the monitoring of the compliance of fleets of regulated vehicles with (a) hours rules and (b) Working Time Directive regulations.

Stephen Ladyman: All member states are required to submit a biennial return on the implementation of the drivers' hours rules to the European Commission which, in turn, produces a report based on the information received. The last European Commission report covered the years 1999 and 2000. Explanatory Memorandum No 9347/04 advised Parliament of that report.
	Directive 2002/15/EC requires member states to put in place penalties to deal with breaches of the working time requirements. Although penalties must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive, there is no requirement for a consistent approach across member states. The enforcement method used is determined by the member state in question. The introduction of a consistent approach to procedures for checking compliance with the requirements of the directive would need to be agreed at a European level.

Working Time Directive

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of requiring managers of regulated vehicle fleets to have their compliance with the hours rules and Working Time Directive Regulations audited by independent third parties operating under Government licence.

Stephen Ladyman: The use of independent third parties operating under Government licence to audit employers' compliance with the EU Drivers' Hours Rules and the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/639), which implement directive 2002/15/EC on working time for mobile workers in Great Britain, has not been assessed. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is responsible for enforcing the longstanding EU Drivers' Hours Rules and the 2005 Regulations. The current enforcement regime aims to minimise the regulatory cost and bureaucracy placed on industry, while meeting the enforcement requirements of European legislation.

Working Time Directive

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hauliers have been prosecuted for infringements of the working time directive in the last 12 months, broken down by category of offence.

Stephen Ladyman: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has made no prosecutions for infringements of the working time directive since it was implemented on 4 April 2005.

TREASURY

Capital Gains Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the capital gains tax status is of shared ownership sales by housing associations.

John Healey: Under the current rules non-charitable housing associations will be within the charge to corporation tax and liable to pay tax on chargeable gains, including those arising under shared ownership arrangements. The amount of such gains may be reduced by the various forms of relief that are available to companies, including the ability to deduct capital losses and the indexation allowance leaving only the net figure liable to tax.

Census Categories

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors determine which ethnic groups are included under the census ethnic group categories; how those factors were applied in determining whether to include Turkish as a category; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 6 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on what factors determine which groups are included under the Census ethnic group categories, and how these factors were applied in determining whether to include Turkish as a category. (56022).
	The ethnic group classification in the 2001 Census was designed to allow the majority of people to use a tick box to answer the question. Since it would be impractical to list every ethnic group with a presence in the United Kingdom, the ethnic group categories shown are limited to those groups which have the largest presence in the population, for whom a substantial user need has been identified, and for whom other identifying information such as country of birth is not sufficient. Other criteria that are considered are continuity of categories over time and comparability across Censuses of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom.
	The Office for National Statistics recognises that the ethnic groups named in the classification will not apply to all respondents. A tick box for 'Other, please specify' was included to allow respondents to identify their ethnic group if those listed did not apply to them. For your information, 65,318 people wrote in either Turkish (49,946) or Turkish Cypriot (15,372) in the United Kingdom in 2001. Of these, all but 418 were in England and Wales. The number of people who identify themselves using a write-in box, however, tends to be lower than the number who would give the same answer if a tick-box were provided.
	The Office for National Statistics is currently reviewing the ethnic group question for the 2011 Census, including consideration of which groups are named in the classification.

EU Membership

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) complete and (b) unfinished studies held within his Department analysing costs and benefits of EU membership.

Ivan Lewis: The Treasury routinely considers the wide range of external studies that attempt to assess the economic implications of aspects of EU membership.
	The Government estimate that 3 million jobs in the UK are dependent on trade with the European Union. The Government's February 2005 publication Growth and Opportunity: Prioritising Economic Reform in Europe highlighted the economic benefits of the single market, the costs of remaining barriers to enterprise, competition and trade in the EU, and the importance of economic reform to address these.

Financial Literacy

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives he is supporting to improve financial literacy.

Ivan Lewis: The Government are committed to improving financial education, which is why the Chancellor announced in the 2005 pre-Budget report that financial capability would be embedded more explicitly in the schools curriculum by including it in the new functional mathematics component of GCSE mathematics. The Government are also taking steps to strengthen adult financial literacy. Building on the work of Skills for Life it will embed financial capability in functional maths aimed at adults and encourage local authorities to provide more financial education to parents through Sure Start Children's Centres and locally delivered family numeracy activities. In addition the Government will provide information on opportunities for financial education to applicants for Social Fund Budgeting Loans.
	The Government are also very supportive of the FSA led National Strategy for Financial Capability which has identified seven key projects that are considered the most likely to result in a step change in financial capability. The FSA's Financial Capability survey, whose results are due to be published on 28 March, will be important both in defining the levels of financial capability within the general population and for measuring future progress of the strategy.

Growth Forecasts

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to improve the reliability of growth forecasts.

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve the reliability of forecasts of economic growth.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member for Wellingborough to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) on the 2 March 2006; Official Report, column 392.

Independent Schools

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 1008W to the hon. Member for Buckingham, on independent schools, if he will make it his policy to collect the information in a way that will enable different organisations to be separately identified.

Ivan Lewis: To provide historical information in this format would involve a major and disproportionately costly review of tens of thousands of charity records. To do so in the future would involve significant compliance costs to charities and would increase the administrative cost of HMRC.

Insurance (Genetic Testing)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation that would ban insurance firms from using predictive genetic test results to decide premiums; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
	The consultation and analysis done by the human genetics commission jointly with the genetics and insurance committee (GAIC) has been used to inform the development of the Government's and insurer's Concordat and Moratorium on Genetics and Insurance, published in March 2005. This document ensures that the use of genetic information by insurance companies will be transparent, fair, and subject to independent oversight. It sets out a range of protections against the use of genetic information by insurers and puts in place until November 2011 a voluntary agreement banning the use by insurers of the results from predictive genetic tests, including tests on breast cancer genes, in deciding the premiums of insurance policies.
	During the moratorium no one will be required to disclose the results of a predictive genetic test unless it has been approved by the GAIC and is for insurance of more than 500,000 for life insurance or 300,000 for other health insurance. To date, the only test that has been approved by GAIC is for Huntington's disease for life insurance polices over 500,000, and no applications for any other tests will be submitted before 2008.
	The current agreement with the insurance industry is flexible enough to respond to fast moving technological and clinical developments in genetic testing. The Government has made clear that any failure of the agreement will lead to the reconsideration of the need for statutory control. Copies of the Concordat are available in the Library and are also available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/publications.

Landfill Tax

Paul Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider raising the landfill tax to encourage more local authorities to recycle commercial waste; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Government announced in the pre-Budget report that the standard rate of landfill tax will increase by 3 per tonne to 21 per tonne in 200607.
	This increase is consistent with the Government's commitment to increase the standard rate of landfill tax by at least 3 per tonne each year on the way to a rate of 35 per tonne.
	Decisions on future rates of landfill tax will be taken as part of the normal Budget process.

Lone Parents

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of lone parents are (a) in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time work and (b) not in employment; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 March 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about lone parents. I am replying in her absence. (55821)
	The attached table gives the number and percentage of lone parents with dependent children in full-time and part-time employment and of those not in employment, for the latest available period ending in November 2005.
	Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		Lone parents (4)aged 16 and over by economic status United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted
		
			 Three months ending November 2005 Number of lone parents (000) Per cent.(6) 
		
		
			 All lone parents aged 16 and over 1,858 100.0 
			 All in employment (5) 1,026 55.2 
			 Full-time 540 29.0 
			 Part-time 486 26.1 
			 Not in employment 832 44.8 
		
	
	(4) Refers to people who are not married or cohabiting and have dependent children, who are defined as 0 to 15-year-olds, or 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time education.
	(5) Includes those who did not state whether they worked full or part time.
	(6) As a percentage of all lone parents.
	Note:
	Excludes lone parents of unknown economic activity
	Source:
	ONS Labour Force Survey

Maternity Statistics

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births there were to women resident in the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority (a) in maternity hospitals, (b) in midwife-led units, (c) at home and (d) at other locations in each year since 2000.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 March 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your request for the number of births to women resident in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority at (a) individual maternity hospitals, (b) midwife-led units, (c) home and (d) other locations in each year since 2000. I am replying in her absence. (56404)
	The latest available figures are for 2004. The table below relates to babies born in England and Wales to women usually resident in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority area at the time of the birth. Figures are presented for categories (a) and (b) combined, (c) and (d). Information is not available centrally on which of these institutions are mid-wife led units.
	Hospitals where more than 30 live births took place over the period 2000 to 2004 have been shown individually; the remaining ones have been aggregated in the 'Other hospitals' sub-total. Births in the 'Elsewhere' category are mainly those occurring on the way to hospital or at a private residence which is not that of the mother.
	
		Live births by place of occurrence for women resident in Cheshire and Merseyside SHA area 200004
		
			   Year of occurrence 
			  Place of occurrence 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 (a) and (b) Maternity hospital/unit  
			  Liverpool Women's Hospital 5,894 5,793 5,808 6,111 7,674 
			  Arrowe Park Hospital 3,158 3,076 3,012 3,252 3,273 
			  Warrington Hospital 3,055 2,828 2,871 2,948 3,015 
			  Whiston Hospital 2,696 2,549 2,424 2,548 2,730 
			  Leighton Hospital 2,365 2,513 2,351 2,490 2,646 
			  Countess of Chester Hospital 2,371 2,371 2,349 2,388 2,495 
			  Macclesfield District General 1,422 1,367 1,387 1,431 1,525 
			  Ormskirk District General Hospital 167 177 184 733 1,328 
			  Fazakerley Hospital 2,565 2,252 2,228 2,189 322 
			  Wythenshawe Hospital 220 227 220 238 213 
			  Stepping Hill Hospital 152 137 114 106 137 
			  Christiana Hartley Maternity Hospital, Southport 909 894 876 420 134 
			  Billinge Hospital 260 249 235 249 132 
			  Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan 0 0 0 0 83 
			  North Staffordshire Maternity Hospital 92 85 82 77 82 
			  St. Marys Hospital, Whitworth Park 48 58 56 60 68 
			  Ysbyty Maelor, Wrexham 26 31 38 43 26 
			  Hope Hospital 13 23 15 20 18 
			  Trafford General Hospital 16 25 16 19 14 
			  Other hospitals(7) 53 60 52 64 67 
			
			 (c) At home 252 217 254 266 299 
			
			 (d) Elsewhere 23 26 30 38 30 
			
			  Total 25,734 24,932 24,572 25,652 26,281 
		
	
	(7) There were 115 hospitals/units in the 'Other' category where there was at least one birth in the period 2000 to 2004.

Media Training

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent by his Department on media training in each year since 199798.

John Healey: The cost of media training, being the provision by external suppliers of training to prepare senior officials to be interviewed for television and/or radio, is not recorded in the Treasury's accounting system separately from other forms of training. Therefore figures for spending on media training, if any, over the period referred to could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

North-east Region (Economic Growth)

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the relationship between the level of skills in the work force and economic growth in the north east region; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Skills are vital to the stability and growth of the economy. Increases in an economy's trend rate of growth are supported by how many people are in employment and how productive they are. Skills are one of the drivers of productivity, which is why the Government have more than doubled overall investment in education and skills since 1997.
	The North East Development Agency and its partner organisations, including the Learning and Skills Council, set out the contribution that skills makes to economic growth in the north east in their regional economic strategy and through their regional skills partnership statement of priorities.
	The Chancellor has also commissioned the Leitch Review of Skills, an independent review of the UK's skills needs, which published its interim report alongside the pre-Budget report 2005. It sets out the extent of current evidence on the relationship between workforce skills and employment, and their role in reducing inequalities in regional economic growth.

Pensions

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the number of active members of schemes referred to in Table 3.14 of Occupational pension schemes 2004: the twelfth survey by the Government Actuary by (a) normal pension age, (b) sector and (c) benefit type; whether those public sector employees who are not members of public service schemes are treated as being in the public sector category; and whether the data for public and private sector schemes are consistent with previous such surveys by the Government Actuary.

Ivan Lewis: The definitions of public sector and private sector pension schemes are set out in paragraphs 1.13 and 1.14 of the report 'Occupational pension schemes 2004: Twelfth Survey by the Government Actuary'. This follows a classification used by the pension schemes registry. Exactly the same approach was adopted for the previous (2000) survey. Members of schemes are categorised according to the scheme of which they are a member, and not by the sector in which they are employed. Those employees in both the public and private sector who are not members of occupational pension schemes are not recorded in the survey.

Pensions Mis-selling

Richard Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason people who were mis-sold endowment policies between April and August 1988 are not (a) protected by and (b) entitled to compensation under existing arrangements.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Ombudsman Service is able to consider complaints about investment business conducted from 29 April 1988. The financial services compensation scheme, which provides compensation to those consumers who have a claim against an authorised firm which has been declared in default, is able to consider claims from 28 August 1988.
	Investment firms were authorised for the first time with effect from 29 April 1988 under the Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association (FIMBRA), which was established under the Financial Services Act 1986. The investors compensation scheme was established under the Financial Services Act with effect from 28 August 1988. A compensation scheme for investors did not exist before that date.

Personal Debt

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to enable data on personal debt to be collected by county.

John Healey: Personal debt level statistics are produced by the Bank of England. There are no plans to extend this dataset to include county level data.

Planning Gain Supplement

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library copies of each response to the Treasury/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consultation on Planning-gain Supplement.

John Healey: The Government's consultation on the proposed Planning-gain Supplement (PCS) closed on 27 February 2006. A summary of responses to the consultation will be published in due course.

Population Statistics

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the population of each (a) Lancashire constituency and (b) Ribble Valley ward was according to (i) figures from the 2001 census, (ii) the most recent electoral rolls and (iii) the most recent figures for health service users; and what projections he has made for the next five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 March 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the population of each (a) Lancashire constituency (b) each Ribble Valley ward according to figures from (i) the 2001 Census, (ii) most recent electoral rolls, and (iii) most recent figures for health service users; and what projections have been made for the next five years. I am replying in her absence. (55882)
	The tables attached provide the information you have requested. Data for Lancashire constituencies are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. Data for Ribble Valley wards are shown in Table 3.
	Electoral rolls provide counts of the number of people registered to vote. Local/European electorate and Parliamentary electorate counts for Lancashire constituencies can be found in Table 1 The 2005 figures are the latest available data. It should be noted that the number of people eligible to vote is not the same as the resident population aged 18 and over. There are a number of reasons for this. For example not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote (foreign citizens from outside of the EU and Commonwealth, prisoners, etc. are not eligible), some people do not register to vote and people who have more than one address may register in more than one place. Further, there is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. These factors have a differential impact from area to area.
	The number of people registered with a GP, living in each Lancashire constituency, in July 2004, can also be found in Table 1. It should also be noted that patient register counts differ from estimates of the usually resident population for a number of reasons.
	Patient registers include people who are in the country for at least three months, whereas population estimates are based on a usual residence definition requiring a stay of 12 months or more. The patient registers exclude individuals who are ineligible to be registered with a GP. People may be on a patient register after having left the country and not deregistered with their GP; similarly people may have moved to another area and not re-registered. Some patients may have more than one NHS number e.g. they may have been issued a temporary number for a short period. Again, these factors have a differential impact from place to place.
	The projections in Table 2 for mid-2006 to mid-2010 are based on the mid-2003 population estimates and are the latest population projections available. They assume that trends in fertility, mortality and migration at the time of the mid-2003 population estimate will continue into the future. Population projections are not available for most of the Lancashire constituencies because projections are not routinely produced for constituencies. Local Authority population projections are however produced, and where constituency projections are shown, this reflects that these constituencies have common boundaries with local authority districts.
	Ward data are shown in Table 3; the points set out above also apply to wards. However, there are some further points to note for wards. The local government electorate is definitionally closer to the population estimates; however these data are not available at ward level. Hence, the Parliamentary electorate is shown, the most recent data available are for December 2004.
	The ONS does not produce projections of population at ward level.
	
		Table 1: 2001 Census, Electoral Register Counts (December 2005) and Patient Register counts (July 2004) for Lancashire Constituencies
		
			  2001 Census April 2001 Local Government Electors(8) December 2005 Parliamentary Electors(9) December 2005 Patient Registers July 2004 
		
		
			 Blackburn 100,590 74,004 73,708 111,515 
			 Blackpool North and Fleetwood 94,985 76,604 76,336 102,415 
			 Blackpool South 95,697 74,691 74,338 103,399 
			 Burnley 89,542 66,444 66,275 93,099 
			 Chorley 100,449 80,369 80,143 104,443 
			 Fylde 92,690 75,685 75,419 97,619 
			 Hyndburn 91,440 67,495 67,209 94,345 
			 Lancaster and Wyre 99,345 81,387 80,486 106,657 
			 Morecambe and Lunesdale 88,833 65,661 65,471 93,830 
			 Pendle 89,248 65,690 65,457 90,039 
			 Preston 96,940 66,610 66,215 106,542 
			 Ribble Valley 94,598 76,492 76,258 99,696 
			 Rossendale and Darwen 92,588 72,535 72,230 97,462 
			 South Ribble 94,467 76,578 76,380 100,179 
			 West Lancashire 93,315 74,792 74,577 98,016 
		
	
	(8) Local government electors are those people who are entitled to vote in local elections and who meet the residence qualification. These include Peers and European citizens but exclude overseas voters.
	(9) Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 2: Mid-2006 to mid-2010 Population Projections (2003-based) for Lancashire Constituencies
		
			 Thousand 
			  Population Projections(10) 
			  Mid-2006 Mid-2007 Mid-2008 Mid-2009 Mid-2010 
		
		
			 Blackburn n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Blackpool North and Fleetwood n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Blackpool South n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Burnley 87.1 86.7 86.3 86.0 85.6 
			 Chorley 103.9 104.6 105.2 105.8 106.5 
			 Fylde n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Hyndburn n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lancaster and Wyre n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Morecambe and Lunesdale n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Pendle 88.9 88.8 88.8 88.7 88.6 
			 Preston n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Ribble Valley n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Rossendale and Darwen n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South Ribble n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Lancashire n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	(10) The population projections shown in this table are taken from the 2003-based subnational population projections, the latest set of projections currently available.
	Note:
	Population projections are not produced specifically for Parliamentary Constituencies. Projections for Burnley, Chorley and Pendle Constituencies are available because they are coterminous with the local authorities for which population projections are available.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 3: Wards in Ribble Valley Constituency: 2001 Census, Electorate counts (December 2004), and Patient Register counts(July 2004)
		
			 Ward Name 2001 Census April 2001 Parliamentary Electors December 2004 Patient Registers July 2004 
		
		
			 Cadley 4,698 3,677 4,820 
			 College(11) 3,517 2,690 3,704 
			 Garrison 6,943 4,720 6,983 
			 Greyfriars 6,679 5,114 6,960 
			 Ingol(11) 7,395 4,729 7,447 
			 Preston Rural East(11) 3,814 3,099 4,032 
			 Preston Rural North(11) 6,540 5,191 6,930 
			 Sharoe Green 6,819 4.731 6,816 
			 Aighton, Bailey and Chaigley 1,623 1,109 1,715 
			 Alston and Hothersall 2,565 2.004 2,774 
			 Billington and Old Langho 2,335 2,210 3,029 
			 Bowland, Newton and Slaidbun 1,243 1.062 1,355 
			 Chatbum 1,324 1,066 1,374 
			 Chipping 1,337 1,091 1,438 
			 Clayton-le-Dale with Ramsgreave 2,468 2,068 2,533 
			 Derby and Thornley 3,049 2,335 2,916 
			 Dilworth 2,395 1,927 2,684 
			 Edisford and Low Moor 2,886 2,274 2,991 
			 Gisburn, Rimington 1,289 1,119 1,477 
			 Langho 2,303 1,951 2,305 
			 Littlemoor 2,815 2,362 2,921 
			 Mellor 2,505 2,203 2,766 
			 Primrose 3,036 2,380 3,094 
			 Read and Simonstone 2,535 2,125 2,710 
			 Ribchester 1,535 1,234 1,541 
			 Sabden 1,371 1,120 1,554 
			 St. Mary's 2,865 2,245 2,879 
			 Salthill 3,095 2,354 3,321 
			 Waddington and West Bradford 2,636 2,375 2,855 
			 Whalley 2,892 2,751 3,631 
			 Wilpshire 2,569 1,988 2,781 
			 Wiswell and Pendleton 1,289 1,072 1,351. 
			 Coupe Green and Gregson Lane 3,555 2,879 3,662 
			 Samlesbury and Walton(11) 3,893 3,236 4,133 
		
	
	(11) These wards also fall within a neighbouring Constituency. Data for the whole ward are shown
	Note:
	Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Private Schools

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on tax revenue of the charitable status of private schools in the last year for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 1008W.

Security Industry

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the security industry in (a) Bedfordshire and (b) England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 March 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning how many people are employed in the security industry in (a) Bedfordshire (b) England and Wales. I am replying in her absence. (54934).
	The Annual Business Inquiry gives figures of economic activity by industry and can provide a regional analysis of the data. The latest figures available relate to the number of employees at 10 December 2004 and cover the industry group Investigation Activities and Security and Related Activities. We estimate that at that date around 1 thousand people were employed by Bedfordshire firms in that group and around 148 thousand by firms in the same group in England and Wales.

Tax Havens

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countries which the Government has designated as tax havens; and how many such countries are (a) British Crown Dependencies and (b) Overseas Territories.

Ivan Lewis: The UK Government do not designate any jurisdictions as tax havens.

Treasury Advisers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what (a) payments and (b) bonuses were received by (i) James Wardlaw, (ii) Chris Houston and (iii) Sir Adrian Montague as remuneration for their work in the Treasury;
	(2)  what precautions his Department takes to ensure that privileged information gained by advisers to the Treasury cannot be used for gain in private business dealings;
	(3)  under what restrictions regarding future business ventures and potential conflicts of interest (a) James Wardlaw, (b) Chris Houston and (c) Sir Adrian Montague were placed when they left the Treasury;
	(4)  what projects James Wardlaw has been involved with in his Department since 1 May 1997;
	(5)  what projects Sir Adrian Montague has been involved with in his Department since 1 May 1997;
	(6)  what projects (a) Chris Houston and (b) James Wardlaw have been involved with in the Treasury since 1 May 1997;
	(7)  what positions Sir Adrian Montague has held in respect of private finance initiative projects within the Treasury.

John Healey: Sir Adrian Montague headed the Treasury Taskforce recommended by the Bates Review of PFI, from 1997 to 2000. The taskforce was concerned with the strengthening of the PFI policy framework and delivery of good quality PFI contracts and projects. James Wardlaw worked for the Treasury as a senior specialist in corporate finance from 2002 to 2005, offering advice to a variety of Treasury teams drawing on his professional background and training. Chris Houston has never been employed by HM Treasury.
	The Treasury does not disclose pay details for individuals below board level. All Treasury staff are subject to the rules on acceptance of outside appointments by Crown servants as set out in the Civil Service Management Code. Staff are required to continue to observe their duty of confidentiality after they have left Crown service.

Unemployment

Paul Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Torfaen constituency (a) under the age of 25 years and (b) over the age of 25 years were long-term unemployed in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 6 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (55827)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	However, for the Torfaen Parliamentary Constituency, sample numbers are insufficient to provide the estimates requested.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). The attached table shows the annual average number of ISA claimants, aged under 25, and aged 25 and over, resident in the Torfaen constituency, who were claiming for over 12 months, since 1997.
	
		JSA claimants resident in the Torfaen parliamentary constituencyAnnual averages
		
			  Long-term (claiming over 12 months)(12) 
			  Aged under 25 Aged 25 and over 
		
		
			 1997 110 480 
			 1998 55 300 
			 1999 5 295 
			 2000 5 205 
			 2001 0 185 
			 2002 5 170 
			 2003 5 165 
			 2004 0 115 
			 2005 10 80 
		
	
	(12) Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5 for disclosure control.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system

Unemployment

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of (a) unemployment, (b) long-term unemployment and (c) youth unemployment was in Peterborough in each year since 1997; and how many individuals this represented in each case.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 6 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (54815)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1 shows rates and levels for all persons unemployed and youth (aged 16 to 24) unemployed resident in the Peterborough Parliamentary Constituency from the annual local area LFS for each 12 months ending February 1998 to February 2004. Sample numbers are insufficient to provide estimates of long-term unemployment.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Changes in the estimates from year to year should be treated with particular caution.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 2 shows the annual average number of JSA claimants, and as a proportion of the resident working age population, those claiming for over 12 months and claimants aged 18 to 24, resident in the Peterborough constituency since 1997.
	
		Table 1: Unemployed persons resident in the Peterborough parliamentary constituency
		
			  All (16+) Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
			 12 months ending Level (000s) Rate(13) (percentage) Level (000s) Rate(13) (percentage) 
		
		
			 February 1998 6 12 2 17 
			 February 1999 3 7 2 27 
			 February 2000 4 8 1 11 
			 February 2001 3 6 1 8 
			 February 2002 3 6 1 16 
			 February 2003 3 6 1 11 
			 February 2004 2 5 1 11 
			 March 2005 2 4 1 11 
		
	
	(13) Percentage of the economically active resident population.
	Note:
	Estimates are subject to sampling variability. Changes from year to year should be treated with particular caution.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 2: JSA claimants resident in the Peterborough parliamentary constituency
		
			  All Long-term (claiming over 12 months)(14) Youth (aged 18 to 24)(14) 
			 Annual averages Level Proportion(15) (percentage) Level Proportion(15) (percentage) Level(16) 
		
		
			 1997 2,935 5 735 1 840 
			 1998 2,187 4 390 1 615 
			 1999 1,975 3 335 1 520 
			 2000 1,758 3 290 0 460 
			 2001 1,605 3 200 0 455 
			 2002 1,488 3 150 0 435 
			 2003 1,664 3 115 0 530 
			 2004 1,680 3 155 0 510 
			 2005 1,850 3 160 0 585 
		
	
	(14) Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5 for disclosure control.
	(15) Proportion of the resident working age population. Denominators based on 2001 Census data adjusted to be consistent with 2001 mid-year population estimates for local authorities.
	(16) Proportions for 18 to 24 group are not available for parliamentary constituencies.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Winter Mortality

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the excess winter mortality (a) rate and (b) numbers were for (i) those aged 65 to 80 years, (ii) those aged over 80 years and (iii) all ages in (A) the UK, (B) England, (C) Scotland, (D) Wales, (E) each London borough and (F) Hornsey and Wood Green in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 6 March 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the excess winter mortality (a) rate and (b) numbers were for (i) those aged 65 to 80 years, (ii) those aged over 80 years, and (iii) all ages in (A) the UK, (B) England, (C) Scotland, (D) Wales, (E) each London Borough, and (F) Hornsey and Wood Green, in each of the last five years. (55099)
	I am placing in the House of Commons Library, a table giving the available figures on excess winter deaths (the excess number of deaths each winter compared to the average during other months of the year) by age group and area. The table gives the excess winter mortality (EWM) index, which is calculated as the excess number of winter deaths divided by the average number of non-winter deaths, expressed as a percentage.
	The latest available figures for the constituent countries of the United Kingdom are for 2004/2005. These figures for 2004/2005 are provisional and are not available for areas smaller than Government Office Regions.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 Bromley 19992000 25.7 80 38.2 170 28.3 260 
			  200001 10.8 30 25.7 120 21.5 190 
			  200102 -3.0 -10 8.5 40 5.2 50 
			  200203 10.8 30 24.7 120 16.8 150 
			  200304 8.0 20 17.5 90 13.2 120 
			 Camden 19992000 14.4 20 47.4 100 23.4 120 
			  200001 4.0 10 26.4 50 15.2 70 
			  200102 18.1 30 11.3 20 9.6 50 
			  200203 5.1 10 15.8 30 14.1 60 
			  200304 21.6 30 20.0 40 15.0 70 
			 Croydon 19992000 21.5 70 58.1 220 37.4 320 
			  200001 4.7 10 33.7 130 19.5 160 
			  200102 18.6 50 32.0 130 22.5 190 
			  200203 15.0 40 15.2 60 11.7 100 
			  200304 3.3 10 22.8 90 11.3 100 
			 Ealing 19992000 23.5 60 32.6 110 27.9 210 
			  200001 1.5 0 10.4 30 6.5 50 
			  200102 19.4 40 23.0 70 17.6 120 
			  200203 12.4 30 31.4 90 17.3 120 
			  200304 12.3 30 25.7 80 10.5 70 
			 Enfield 19992000 37.5 90 36.7 140 33.9 260 
			  200001 -2.1 -10 11.1 40 4.7 40 
			  200102 10.2 30 29.7 120 16.2 120 
			  200203 29.3 60 25.2 100 24.0 130 
			  200304 18.6 40 11.1 40 9.0 70 
			 Greenwich 19992000 19.3 50 52.7 130 30.3 190 
			  200001 27.5 60 15.5 40 16.8 110 
			  200102 2.6 10 13.3 40 9.7 60 
			  200203 32.1 60 10.9 30 11.7 70 
			  200304 11.3 20 20.3 60 11.6 70 
			 Hackney 19992000 40.6 60 38.5 60 26.3 120 
			  200001 12.1 20 38.7 50 15.2 60 
			  200102 13.1 20 13.5 20 10.6 40 
			  200203 17.3 20 47.2 60 21.7 90 
			  200304 -2.5 0 11.3 20 0.2 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 19992000 45.5 50 31.9 50 33.0 120 
			  200001 24.1 30 24.8 40 24.0 80 
			  200102 -13.3 -20 68.7 80 18.6 60 
			  200203 38.0 40 28.9 40 29.4 100 
			  200304 -0.9 0 1.0 0 0.9 0 
			 Haringey 19992000 36.9 60 16.7 40 21.1 100 
			  200001 13.5 20 12.6 30 9.8 50 
			  200102 2.8 0 33.0 60 15.6 70 
			  200203 26.6 40 31.4 60 23.5 110 
			  200304 20.0 30 25.4 40 12.6 60 
			 Harrow 19992000 27.5 50 35.4 100 27.5 150 
			  200001 17.0 30 28.0 70 20.1 100 
			  200102 6.5 10 26.4 70 16.0 80 
			  200203 7.9 10 14.2 40 10.8 60 
			  200304 -5.2 -10 18.3 50 14.7 80 
			 Havering 19992000 30.8 90 53.4 170 39.4 290 
			  200001 2.4 10 18.0 60 7.1 50 
			  200102 23.6 60 21.3 80 19.9 150 
			  200203 13.1 40 29.8 110 22.8 180 
			  200304 19.8 50 27.0 100 23.2 170 
			 Hillingdon 19992000 28.7 70 53.0 150 36.9 240 
			  200001 28.5 60 14.8 50 16.9 110 
			  200102 14.0 30 22.2 70 18.9 120 
			  200203 12.0 30 20.7 70 14.8 100 
			  200304 -0.2 0 20.6 70 10.7 70 
			 Hounslow 19992000 40.7 80 41.8 100 33.4 180 
			  200001 2.1 0 37.7 80 19.5 100 
			  200102 26.2 40 18.9 50 19.8 110 
			  200203 -7.8 -20 38.4 90 14.8 80 
			  200304 8.9 20 14.6 40 11.5 60 
			 Islington 19992000 24.5 40 24.3 40 17.4 80 
			  200001 -8.2 -10 14.0 20 5.1 20 
			  200102 15.3 20 17.4 20 17.4 70 
			  200203 2.9 0 24.9 40 9.4 40 
			  200304 19.4 30 7.5 10 10.2 40 
			 Kensington  Chelsea 19992000 37.3 40 23.7 40 22.5 80 
			  200001 9.8 10 4.9 10 10.2 30 
			  200102 2.7 0 24.1 30 11.3 40 
			  200203 27.3 20 9.4 10 14.5 40 
			  200304 0.0 0 35.4 50 16.8 50 
			 Kingston upon Thames 19992000 28.2 30 44.0 90 37.8 150 
			  200001 13.6 20 25.5 60 15.0 70 
			  200102 47.6 50 21.3 50 27.8 110 
			  200203 1.8 0 22.3 50 10.0 40 
			  200304 15.9 20 8.2 20 8.8 40 
			 Lambeth 19992000 30.8 70 39.3 90 29.9 180 
			  200001 14.4 30 14.8 30 12.6 80 
			  200102 -2.8 -10 12.2 20 4.4 30 
			  200203 15.1 30 25.7 50 16.8 90 
			  200304 -9.4 -20 29.0 60 12.7 70 
			 Lewisham 19992000 34.6 80 39.9 120 29.7 210 
			  200001 12.9 30 21.9 70 18.5 120 
			  200102 17.0 40 30.5 80 17.8 110 
			  200203 26.0 50 20.0 60 22.6 140 
			  200304 3.7 10 18.5 60 6.2 40 
			 Merton 19992000 20.4 30 46.8 100 29.7 140 
			  200001 -5.3 -10 38.2 90 18.7 90 
			  200102 -2.3 0 14.9 30 4.8 20 
			  200203 12.5 20 16.4 40 14.3 60 
			  200304 -4.9 -10 20.5 50 8.1 . 40 
			 Newham 19992000 47.8 100 76.0 130 53.6 280 
			  200001 4.3 10 42.3 80 21.4 110 
			  200102 21.9 40 29.5 50 18.9 100 
			  200203 16.7 30 37.7 70 20.1 100 
			  200304 9.0 20 13.5 30 8.5 40 
			 Redbridge 19992000 32.6 70 45.3 140 35.3 220 
			  200001 2.2 10 22.4 70 11.4 80 
			  200102 11.1 20 28.0 90 21.4 140 
			  200203 17.3 30 7.3 30 8.9 60 
			  200304 4.5 10 22.0 80 11.6 80 
			 Richmond upon Thames 19992000 27.1 40 33.7 90 32.2 160 
			  200001 -5.0 -10 10.5 30 4.9 20 
			  200102 21.9 30 18.7 40 14.0 60 
			  200203 28.2 40 25.1 60 22.5 100 
			  200304 8.1 10 23.0 60 15.6 70 
			 Southwark 19992000 35.4 80 48.9 100 36.7 210 
			  200001 10.2 20 41.4 80 18.1 110 
			  200102 13.0 30 14.9 30 11.1 60 
			  200203 -0.5 0 23.3 50 7.7 40 
			  200304 13.8 30 14.6 30 8.0 50 
			 Sutton 19992000 14.9 30 44.8 110 27.0 150 
			  200001 22.7 40 18.2 50 20.3 110 
			  200102 20.5 30 16.7 50 15.5 80 
			  200203 -13.5 -20 8.1 30 2.2 10 
			  200304 16.0 20 13.8 40 10.1 50 
			 Tower Hamlets 19992000 27.6 50 45.1 60 25.0 110 
			  200001 22.9 40 23.5 30 19.8 80 
			  200102 3.7 10 18.9 30 10.4 50 
			  200203 13.3 20 3.8 10 6.1 30 
			  200304 -2.6 0 4.6 10 2.8 10 
			 Waltham Forest 19992000 27.2 60 40.5 120 31.1 190 
			  200001 14.6 30 30.5 90 19.2 120 
			  200102 8.7 20 11.0 30 10.1 60 
			  200203 8.0 10 26.7 80 15.9 100 
			  200304 6.7 10 6.0 20 6.0 30 
			 Wandsworth 19992000 17.2 40 45.9 140 27.6 180 
			  200001 -0.8 0 36.6 100 13.9 90 
			  200102 4.8 10 33.4 100 17.3 110 
			  200203 10.6 20 15.3 50 12.9 80 
			  200304 12.6 20 10.4 30 10.4 60 
			 Westminster 19992000 29.4 40 44.4 80 29.3 130 
			  200001 13.3 20 30.2 60 22.8 100 
			  200102 26.8 30 13.7 30 16.5 70 
			  200203 2S , 0 21.0 40 10.4 40 
			  200304 20.7 30 20.3 40 13.3 60 
			 (F) Hornsey Wood Green(21) 19992000 22.0 20 17.1 20 6.1 30 
			  200001 26.5 20 18.9 20 7.2 40 
			  200102 -10.7 -10 41.4 40 10.3 50 
			  200203 37.1 30 25.2 30 26.3 60 
			  200304 26.7 20 27.8 30 12.8 30 
		
	
	(17) Excess winter deaths are defined as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July).Figures for 1999/2000 to 2003/2004 are final estimates rounded to the nearest 10.
	(18) The excess winter deaths index is calculated as the excess number of winter deaths divided by the average number of non-winter deaths, expressed as a percentage.
	(19) Data are based on occurrences of death each month for England and Wales and on registrations of deaths each month for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	(20) Figures for 2004/05 are provisional. These are rounded to the nearest 100 for the United Kingdom, England, and Wales, and to the nearest 10 for Scotland.
	(21) Parliamentary constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Tanzania

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid has been allocated to the Government of Tanzania for 200607.

Hilary Benn: DFID has allocated 115 million of bilateral development assistance to Tanzania in the financial year of 200607. Of this, 90 million will be provided directly to the Government of Tanzania in the form of budget support.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Saints' Days

Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what special arrangements are made by the Refreshment Department to mark (a) St George's Day, (b) St David's Day, (c) St Andrew's Day and (d) St Patrick's Day.

Nick Harvey: The Refreshment Department regularly runs special promotions in some or all of its restaurants and bars. These may be run as part of a national campaign, such as the 'Fairtrade Fortnight' to be celebrated 0619 March 2006, or in response to consumer interest in a particular type of product or food, such as the 'Healthy Eating Awareness Day' held in Portcullis House in January, or to mark a special occasion, such as the celebration of a national saint's day.
	The decision as to whether to mark a particular national saints' day depends on a number of factors, including whether the House will be sitting on that day, and whether there are any competing bids for special promotions to run at the same time.
	This year, St David's day was marked by serving Welsh dishes and products in the cafeterias and Members' Dining Room. A selection of Welsh cheeses was served throughout the week, Penderyn Welsh Whisky was offered for tasting in the Members' Dining Room, and Brains' Bitter, brewed in Cardiff, is the Regional Ale being served throughout March in the Strangers' Bar.
	There are no plans to mark St George's day this year, as it falls on a Sunday, nor are there plans to mark St Patrick's day, which falls during the Fairtrade Fortnight. No plans have yet been made for promotions to be mounted in the autumn, so no decision has yet been reached about St Andrew's day on 30 November 2006.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent by the Cabinet Office on media training in each year since 199798.

Jim Murphy: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	All Cabinet Office Units have delegated responsibility for spend against their training budgets. There has been no centrally organised media training for Cabinet Office staff.
	The National School for Government (NSG) deliver courses related to media training. These courses are open to all civil servants.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Anti-poverty Strategy

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to publish the anti-poverty strategy.

Angela Smith: The Government plans to publish its strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion later this year.

Child Care

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many child care places there are in each ward in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Information on childcare places is not collected according to ward in Northern Ireland. The information is, however, available according to Health and Social Services Trust area, and is shown in the following table in respect of the number of registered places at 31 March 2005.
	
		
			  Places available with: 
			 Health and Social Services Trust Day nurseries Child-minders Playgroups Out of school clubs Holiday schemes(22) Total 
		
		
			 North and West Belfast 717 1,024 1,264 941 77 4,023 
			 South and East Belfast 1,994 2,280 1,286 772 404 6,736 
			 Ulster 772 2,188 1,283 198 65 4,506 
			 Down Lisburn 741 2,439 1,370 520 211 5,281 
			 Causeway 437 1,692 854 487 0 3,470 
			 Homefirst 2,080 4,485 2,517 864 140 10,086 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 322 899 936 436 108 2,701 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 801 1,014 786 674 486 3,761 
			 Newry and Mourne 364 130 740 265 332 1,831 
			 Foyle 501 960 1,447 549 0 3,457 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 468 954 1,287 582 0 3,291 
			 Northern Ireland Total 9,197 18,065 13,770 6,288 1,823 49,143 
		
	
	(22) Information on holiday schemes relates to the number of places in schemes open at any time during the year ending 31 March 2005.

Civil Servants (Travel Costs)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of official air travel for civil servants employed in each Department in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, information pertaining to the period from 1 October 2004 to 20 February 2006 is available and is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Department 2004(23) 2005(24) 2006(25) 
		
		
			 Department of Finance and Personnel(26) 80,355 300,254 31,472 
			 Department of Employment and Learning(26) 15,464 154,045 3,691 
			 Department for Regional Development(26) 79,809 421,670 39,518 
			 Department of Education(26) 12,664 42,062 1,306 
			 Department for Social Development(26) 105,369 430,150 34,319 
			 Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety(26) 70,122 257,852 26,951 
			 Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment(26) 95,672 346,714 30,115 
			 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure(26) 17,504 81,007 9,919 
			 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development(26) 86,930 317,533 20,675 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister(26) 46,017 157,245 12,074 
			 Northern Ireland Office 385,624 1,568,503 245,008 
		
	
	(23) October to December.
	2 January to December.
	3 January to 20 February.
	4 These figures relate only to flights booked through Northern Ireland civil service contracted travel agency service since 1 October 2004 when the current contract commenced. They do not include any journeys undertaken that were booked through other channels as this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Northern Ireland Office figure reflects the need for regular travel between the London and Belfast offices in connection with the range of official duties.

Dangerous Wild Animals

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 to Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: A Commencement Order has to be made before the Dangerous Wild Animals (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 comes into force and it is expected that this will be made later in 2006.
	Article 9 of the Order makes provision for a 'Surrender Period' during which a keeper of a Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) can give up their ownership to the Department of the Environment. In such circumstances the Department must have safe holding facilities in place to accept and house such animals while attempts are made to re-home them.
	Article 6 will give the Department the powers to seize DWAs should the owners be in breach of licence conditions. Again holding facilities are required to hold DWAs in safety while attempts to re-home the animals are made.
	In the operation of this legislation the health and safety of the public is paramount while the welfare of the animals must be considered at all times. The Department is currently in an advanced stage of negotiations with a potential provider of a DWA holding service. The breadth of species listed in the Schedule of the Order requires a range of facilities to cater for the special needs of these creatures. It is expected that these negotiations will be completed shortly and the facilities will be developed to allow for the making of the Commencement Order.

Demography

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many 18 to 30-year-olds there were in each ward in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available; and what percentage of the population they represented in each case.

Angela Smith: A table giving the number of 18 to 30-year-olds in each electoral ward in Northern Ireland from the 2001 census and the percentage of the population they represented, has been placed in the Library.

Dentistry

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of children suffered from dental caries in each ward in Northern Ireland in 200405, listed in descending order by percentage.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the format requested. However, through school dental screening, the incidence of dental caries in primary 1, primary 2 and primary 7 children is recorded at trust level. The information for 200405 is presented in the following tables:
	
		Primary 1
		
			 Trust Target Number screened Percentage screened Number with caries Percentage with caries 
		
		
			 Sperrin Lakeland 1,602 1,426 89.01 1,035 72.58 
			 North and West Belfast 1,910 1,629 85.29 1,001 61.45 
			 Foyle Community 2,292 1,983 86.52 1,093 55.12 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 1,618 1,459 90.17 706 48.39 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 1,424 1,297 91.08 613 47.26 
			 Down Lisburn 1,872 1,625 86.81 723 44.49 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,486 1,250 84.12 539 43.12 
			 Causeway 1,242 861 69.32 359 41.70 
			 North Down/N'Ards (UCHT) 1,704 1,507 88.44 589 39.08 
			 South and East Belfast 2,130 1,751 82.21 670 38.26 
			 Homefirst 8,542 6,460 75.63 2,290 35.45 
			 NI 25,822 21,248 82.29 9,618 45.27 
		
	
	
		Primary 2
		
			 Trust Target Number screened Percentage screened Number with caries Percentage with caries 
		
		
			 Sperrin Lakeland 1,654 1,524 92.14 1,208 79.27 
			 North and West Belfast 2,006 1,686 84.05 1,241 73.61 
			 Foyle Community 2,444 1,949 79.75 1,239 63.57 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 1,418 1,255 88.50 758 60.40 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 1,585 1,394 87.95 831 59.61 
			 Down Lisburn 1,758 1,585 90.16 886 55.90 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,325 933 70.42 502 53.80 
			 Causeway 2,026 1,783 88.01 905 50.76 
			 North Down/N'Ards (UCHT) 1,686 1,455 86.30 735 50.52 
			 South and East Belfast 2,330 1,877 80.56 907 48.32 
			 Homefirst 8,676 6,341 73.09 3,017 47.58 
			 NI 26,908 21,782 80.95 12,229 56.14 
		
	
	
		Primary 7
		
			 Trust Target Number screened Percentage screened Number with caries Percentage with caries 
		
		
			 Sperrin Lakeland 2,259 1767 78.22 1,448 81.95 
			 North and West Belfast 1,787 1,576 88.19 1,222 77.54 
			 Foyle Community 1,794 1,661 92.59 1,248 75.14 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 1,484 1,215 81.87 837 68.89 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 1,678 1,400 83.43 906 64.71 
			 Down Lisburn 2,385 1,794 75.22 1,119 62.37 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,331 768 57.70 469 61.07 
			 Causeway 1,684 1,378 81.83 816 59.22 
			 North Down/N'Ards (UCHT) 8,880 5,400 60.81 2,956 54.74 
			 South and East Belfast 1,937 1,725 89.06 795 46.09 
			 Homefirst 2,494 1,917 76.86 781 40.74 
			 NI 27,713 20,601 74.34 12,597 61.15

Departmental Vehicles

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much each Department under his authority spent on taxi hire in each of the last five years, broken down by Department.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Education Authority (Running Costs)

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated running costs are over the first five years for the proposed single education authority.

Angela Smith: It is not possible at this stage to give an estimate of the running costs of the new education authority. However, it is estimated that there will be significant efficiency savings from the new arrangements.

Educational Attainment

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of 16-year-olds left school without any qualifications in each (a) ward, (b) county and (c) constituency in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: (a) The requested information has been placed in the Library.
	(b) Information is not available for each county in Northern Ireland, but is provided in respect of each education and library board area. The percentage of 16-year-olds resident in each education and library board area who left school in 200304 without any qualifications is as follows:
	
		
			 Education and Library Board Number of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications Number of 16-year-old school leavers Percentage of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications 
		
		
			 Missing/incomplete postcode 30 199 15.1 
			 Belfast 282 1,594 17.7 
			 Western 224 1,858 12.1 
			 North Eastern 175 2,856 6.1 
			 South Eastern 234 2,562 9.1 
			 Southern 208 2,923 7.1 
		
	
	(c) The percentage of 16-year-olds resident in each constituency who left school in 200304 without any qualifications is as follows:
	
		
			 Constituency Number of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications Number of 16-year-old school leavers Percentage of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications 
		
		
			 Missing/incomplete postcode 30 199 15.1 
			 Belfast East 48 449 10.7 
			 Belfast North 84 605 13.9 
			 Belfast South 49 333 14.7 
			 Belfast West 158 692 22.8 
			 East Antrim 26 530 4.9 
			 East Londonderry 71 646 11.0 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 20 499 4.0 
			 Foyle 130 672 19.3 
			 Lagan Valley 49 670 7.3 
			 Mid Ulster 31 685 4.5 
			 Newry and Armagh 93 928 10.0 
			 North Antrim 48 852 5.6 
			 North Down 45 439 10.3 
			 South Antrim 39 711 5.5 
			 South Down 70 853 8.2 
			 Strangford 55 692 7.9 
			 Upper Bann 58 903 6.4 
			 West Tyrone 49 634 7.7

Efficiency Gains

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what baseline figures he is using for assessing progress on his Department's targets to (a) rationalise back office functions, (b) restructure and streamline its headquarters' directorates, (c) improve procurement, (d) improve working practices in the Prison Service, (e) reduce sickness absence in the Prison Service, (f) invest in core ICT infrastructure and in Causeway and (g) increase front-line time of the police as a percentage of police time; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

Peter Hain: Information in respect of the NIOs Efficiency Programme, including baseline data, is contained in the Department's Efficiency Technical Note (published in December 2005). This can be viewed on the NIO website at www.nio.gov.uk/nio_publications. As of the end of December 2005 the NIO's Efficiency Programme has delivered gains of 35.1 million.

Electoral Fraud

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times police have questioned electoral office staff regarding possible electoral fraud in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland and the PSNI do not have any record of police questioning staff about possible electoral fraud in any of the last 10 years.

Housing

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the waiting list for single accommodation in each of the housing executive districts.

David Hanson: The numbers at 31 December 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			 NIHE district Single applicants 
		
		
			 Antrim 393 
			 Armagh 318 
			 Ballycastle 143 
			 Ballymena 575 
			 Ballymoney 177 
			 Banbridge 187 
			 Bangor 594 
			 Belfast 1 486 
			 Belfast 2 671 
			 Belfast 3 427 
			 Belfast 4 436 
			 Belfast 5 329 
			 Belfast 6 561 
			 Belfast 7 1,071 
			 Carrickfergus 362 
			 Castlereagh 455 
			 Coleraine 453 
			 Cookstown 173 
			 Downpatrick 459 
			 Dungannon 310 
			 Fermanagh 443 
			 Larne 162 
			 Limavady 249 
			 Lisburn Antrim Street 640 
			 Lisburn Dairy Farm 301 
			 Londonderry 1 361 
			 Londonderry 2 279 
			 Londonderry 3 339 
			 Lurgan 390 
			 Magherafelt 172 
			 Newry 798 
			 Newtownabbey 1 324 
			 Newtownabbey 2 288 
			 Newtownards 527 
			 Omagh 263 
			 Portadown 239 
			 Strabane 310 
			 Total 14,665

Housing

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many housing units for single persons were built in Northern Ireland in the last five financial years.

David Hanson: A total of 217 units, designed specifically for single occupation, were completed during the five year period 200001 to 200405. Other small units however can be made available to singles where circumstances require it.

Housing

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is being made for single housing in each of the Housing Executive districts.

David Hanson: A total of 436 units, designed specifically for singles occupation, are planned for the five year period 200506 to 200910. Other small units in the programme can however be made available to singles where circumstances require it.
	Social housing provision for single persons is made through a combination of relets of existing property and new build provision. Last year, over 3,000 allocations were made to single people.
	Departmental statistics are not held by Housing Executive District. However, by district council area, the 436 planned starts are located as follows:
	
		
			 District council/area Planned starts 
		
		
			 Belfast 317 
			 Coleraine 7 
			 Craigavon 10 
			 Derry 44 
			 Dungannon 19 
			 Fermanagh 11 
			 Larne 12 
			 Limavady 6 
			 Newry and Mourne 10

Obesity

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) childhood and (b) adult obesity levels were in each (i) ward, (ii) county and (iii) health authority area in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: Information on (a) childhood obesity is not available in the format requested. However, Table 1 shows the prevalence of obesity, by gender, at health and social services (HSS) board and at Northern Ireland level for primary 1 (PI) school children.
	
		Table 1: PI Obesity levels 200304 by HSS Board(24)
		
			 Percentage 
			  Male Female All 
		
		
			 Northern board 4.0 6.0 5.0 
			 Southern board 5.1 8.2 6.6 
			 Eastern board 4.7 6.8 5.7 
			 Western board 4.4 6.8 5.6 
			 NI 4.6 6.9 5.7 
		
	
	(24) relates to HSS board in which child's school is located rather than where child actually resides
	Source:
	Child Health System (NI) 20032004.
	Information on (b) adult obesity levels is available only at Northern Ireland level. According to the latest 'NI Health and Social Well-Being' survey conducted in 1997, 19 per cent. of adults were classified as being obese, with 17 per cent. male compared to 20 per cent. female.

Primary Schools

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average transport to school cost was per pupil in Northern Ireland for pupils enrolled at (a) controlled, (b) maintained and (c) integrated primary schools as at December 2005.

Angela Smith: The information is not available in the required format. However, the average per pupil transport cost in Northern Ireland in the 200405 financial year was:
	675 in respect of controlled and maintained primary schools;
	661 in respect of grant-maintained integrated primary schools.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what audits of human rights training in (a) the Police Service of Northern Ireland and (b) MI5 in Northern Ireland have been carried out by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

David Hanson: I have been informed by the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that the Commission has evaluated the human rights element of training provided to four separate cohorts of Police Service NI recruits, over the period 200005. In addition, in 2004 an evaluation was undertaken by the Commission of the Course For All training delivered across the police service.
	The Commission has not conducted any review or audit of any aspect of the work of the Security Service.

Public Consultations

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of public consultations undertaken by each Department in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information sought is not readily available in the form requested, however, the amount of money spent on consultation exercises undertaken by the Northern Ireland Office and 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland Administration between July 2001 and December 2005 is as follows:
	
		July 2001December 2005
		
			 Department Consultation costs () 
		
		
			 Agriculture and Rural Development 57,540.38 
			 Culture, Arts and Leisure 62,458.66 
			 Education 1,058,501.00 
			 Environment 265,951.00 
			 Enterprise, Trade and Investment 110,245.00 
			 Employment and Learning 150,431.87 
			 Finance and Personnel 331,368.00 
			 Health, Social Services and Public Safety 635,144.00 
			 Regional Development 283,172.00 
			 Social Development 316,387.39 
			 Northern Ireland Office 60,126.04 
			 Office of die First Minister and Deputy First Minister 986,207.13 
			 Total 4,317,532.47

Schools

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated to (a) the Irish-medium and (b) the integrated education sector in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The funding allocated to the Irish-medium education (IME) and integrated education (IE) sectors in each of the last 10 years was as follows:
	
		
		
			  IME IE 
			  Recurrent Capital Recurrent Capital 
		
		
			 199596 1,789,411 n/k 12,664,806 n/k 
			 199697 1,894,762 n/k 17,216,920 n/k 
			 199798 2,468,490 n/k 22,086,499 12,328,218 
			 199899 3,276,372 n/k 30,133,347 17,090,741 
			 19992000 4,041,534 1,667,584 38,125,242 14,858,040 
			 200001 6,075,876 763,796 42,621,998 10,489,448 
			 200102 6,070,061 140,896 47,286,324 4,968,875 
			 200203 6,730,101 775,717 51,994,494 8,300,843 
			 200304 8,019,913 1,589,219 58,685,121 12,554,731 
			 200405 8,550,337 3,086,106 62,572,458 8,981,840

Seafood Purification Plant (Warrenpoint)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps were taken to ensure the seafood purification plant project in Warrenpoint does not duplicate services provided by other Government-funded projects in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The shellfish purification plant currently under construction at Warrenpoint will be the first such public facility of its kind in the Carlingford Lough region. This is an important part of the reconstruction of Warrenpoint harbour area being undertaken with assistance from the Interreg Programme to provide safe, modern facilities for mussel dredgers using the Lough. Since this will be the only public shellfish purification unit in the area, there is no duplication with any other grant-aided projects.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total efficiency savings were achieved by his Department in 200405; and whether these count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review.

Peter Hain: The Northern Ireland Office delivered some 8.6 million of efficiency savings in 200405. As these savings persist into subsequent years they have been included in the overall savings that the Department is forecasting in the 2004 Spending Review.

Statementing

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many statemented children there are in each (a) ward, (b) county and (c) constituency in Northern Ireland; and what percentage of all children this represents in each county.

Angela Smith: Information on statemented pupils at primary, special and nursery schools in Northern Ireland is not available at ward level. Analysis based on the location of schools is not available in respect of counties, but is provided in the following table for Education and Library Board areas and constituencies. The distribution of statemented pupils is affected by the location of special schools and special units attached to mainstream schools.
	
		Schoolchildren with statements of special education needs 200506, by Education and Library Board area
		
			 Education and Library Board Schoolchildren with statements of special education needs Percentage of all pupils 
		
		
			 Belfast 1,640 3 
			 Western 2,002 3 
			 North Eastern 2,360 3 
			 South Eastern 3,281 5 
			 Southern 2,671 4 
			 Northern Ireland total 11,954 4 
		
	
	
		Schoolchildren with statements of special education needs 200506, by parliamentary constituency
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Schoolchildren with statements of special education needs Percentage of all pupils 
		
		
			 Belfast East 318 2 
			 Belfast North 418 2 
			 Belfast South 846 5 
			 Belfast West 495 2 
			 East Antrim 581 4 
			 East Londonderry 636 4 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 742 4 
			 Foyle 789 3 
			 Lagan Valley 923 6 
			 Mid Ulster 608 3 
			 Newry and Armagh 892 4 
			 North Antrim 685 3 
			 North Down 469 4 
			 South Antrim 272 2 
			 South Down 994 5 
			 Strangford 843 6 
			 Upper Bann 867 4 
			 West Tyrone 576 3 
			 Northern Ireland Total 11,954 4 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures relate to children in nursery, primary, post primary and special schools.
	(c) The percentage of 16-year-olds resident in each constituency who left school in 200304 without any qualifications is as follows:
	
		
			 Constituency Number of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications Number of 16-year-old school leavers Percentage of 16-year-old school leavers with no qualifications 
		
		
			 Missing/incomplete postcode 30 199 15.1 
			 Belfast East 48 449 10.7 
			 Belfast North 84 605 13.9 
			 Belfast South 49 333 14.7 
			 Belfast West 158 692 22.8 
			 East Antrim 26 530 4.9 
			 East Londonderry 71 646 11.0 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 20 499 4.0 
			 Foyle 130 672 19.3 
			 Lagan Valley 49 670 7.3 
			 Mid Ulster 31 685 4.5 
			 Newry and Armagh 93 928 10.0 
			 North Antrim 48 852 5.6 
			 North Down 45 439 10.3 
			 South Antrim 39 711 5.5 
			 South Down 70 853 8.2 
			 Strangford 55 692 7.9 
			 Upper Bann 58 903 6.4 
			 West Tyrone 49 634 7.7

Suicides

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the suicide rate per 10,000 population was in each (a) constituency and (b) county in Northern Ireland in each of the last 30 years.

Angela Smith: Tables have been placed in the Library which contain information about the death rate per 10,000 population for deaths registered in Northern Ireland, due to 'suicide and self-inflicted injury' 1 and 'undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted' 2 by parliamentary constituency, in each year between 1991 and 2004 and by local government district in each year between 1981 and 2004.
	Population estimates are only available by parliamentary constituency from 1991. Population estimates are not available by county, so local government district information has been provided instead. Suicide and undetermined deaths data by local government district is only available from 1981 onwards.
	1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes X60-X84, Y87.0 for years 200104 and Ninth Revision codes E950-E959 for years 19812000.
	2 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes Y10-Y34, Y87.2 for years 200104 and Ninth Revision codes E980-E989 for years 19812000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Procedures

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many procedures involving the extraction of foetal calf serum from cows were carried out in 2004.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 2 March 2006
	There were no procedures carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 involving the extraction of foetal calf serum from cows in 2004.

Animal Procedures

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to license the extraction of foetal calf serum from cows under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 2 March 2006
	The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 makes provision for the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, and does not contain any specific prohibition of the use of animals to harvest foetal calf serum. Any application under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for a licence involving the extraction of foetal calf serum from cows would be considered and judged on its merits in the usual way.

Animal Procedures

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list (a) the four animals identified as being found dead in the immediate peri- and post-surgical period in procedures allocated a moderate severity limit, (b) the 10 animals found dead in procedures allocated a moderately severity limit said to have had significant clinical findings and to be receiving appropriate symptomatic, supportive and specific treatment to control or minimise any resulting suffering and (c) the three animals found dead in procedures allocated a moderately severity limit said to have died unexpectedly in the Department's Response to Twelve Questions Raised by Dan Lyons, Uncaged Campaigns, About Imutran Xenotransplantation Research Licensed Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, published in August 2004; and what evidence supported the Department's view on the cause of death in respect of (c) .

Andy Burnham: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Seventeen animals died between observation periods in procedures of moderate severity out of over 500 non-human primates used in the Imutran studies between July 1994 and March 2000. Four of these animals died in the immediate post-surgical period before the effects of anaesthesia and sedation had worn off and are not thought to have experienced any suffering.
	Their reference numbers were: T405, V570, W265 and Y231M. Ten of the animals had welfare problems that had been diagnosed and were receiving appropriate symptomatic, supportive and specific treatment. Their reference numbers were: A168, A471, W264, W762, W741, W774, X535, X538, X540, and Y252F.
	Three of the animals had been in previously good health and died at five, seven, and 22 days post-surgery. Their reference numbers were: W14, W747, Y247M. Although the causes of death of these last three animals were not determined with absolute certainty, the evidence suggests that their deaths resulted from a combination of the immuno-suppression regimens and organ rejection, rather than surgical complications.
	The evidence available at the time also suggested that death occurred quickly with little suffering being experienced by the individual animals. These judgments were drawn during the Home Office Chief Inspector's review of compliance with the licence authorities granted to Imutran staff for their xenotransplantation research following examination of all of the available documentary evidence, including clinical records, surgeon's notes and post mortem reports. None of the 17 deaths raised issues of non-compliance with the relevant licence authorities.

Asylum Seekers

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kurdish asylum seekers from Turkey were (a) refused asylum in the UK and (b) deported in 2005.

Tony McNulty: Information on how many Kurdish asylum seekers from Turkey were refused asylum and deported is not available. Data on the ethnic origin of asylum seekers are not collated centrally and could be produced only by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.
	Information on asylum initial decisions, appeal outcomes and removals by nationality are published quarterly and annually. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Somalian, (b) Ivorian, (c) Pakistani, (d) Algerian and (e) Iranian asylum seekers were (i) granted asylum in the UK and (ii) deported in 200405.

Tony McNulty: The table shows the number of Somalian, Ivorian, Pakistani, Algerian and Iranian asylum seekers granted asylum and deported in the financial year 200405. Information on asylum initial decisions and removals by nationality are published quarterly and annually. Copies are available from the Library of the House and on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(25) of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, for nationals of Somalia, Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Algeria and Iran, in the financial year 2004052, 3, 4
		
			 Nationality Number of principal applicants 
		
		
			 Somalia 70 
			 Ivory Coast 15 
			 Pakistan 340 
			 Algeria 120 
			 Iran 350 
		
	
	(25) Includes persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(26) Figures rounded to the nearest five.
	(27) Figures exclude dependants of asylum seekers removed.
	(28) Provisional figures.

Cash-in-transit Crime

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has undertaken into combating cash-in-transit crime.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 17 January 2006
	The following is the list of research reports published by the Department where cash-in-transit crime has been referred to.
	Preventing robberies at Sub-Post Offices: an evaluation of a security initiative, Paul Ekblom, 1987.
	The prevention of robbery at Building Society branches: Claire Austin, 1988.
	Making Crime Prevention Pay: initiatives from business, John Burrows, 1991.
	Armed Robbery: two police responses, Roger Matthews, 1996.
	Home Office Research Study 182 The Prevention of cheque and credit card fraud revisited: Michael Levi and Jim Handley, 1998.
	Not rocket science? Problem-solving and crime reduction: Tim Read and Nick Tilley, 2000.
	Problem-solving street crime: practical lessons from the Street Crime Initiative: Nick Tilley et al, 2004.

Criminal Damage

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded cases of criminal damage there were in each police force area in (a) England and (b) England and Wales in each year since 1998.

Hazel Blears: Available information relating to recorded criminal damage offences is given in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Criminal damage offences recorded by police force area, 199899 to 200102(29)
		
			 Number of offences 
			 Police force area 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 20,605 20,519 22,479 26,990 
			 Bedfordshire 7,893 8,048 7,892 8,193 
			 Cambridgeshire 11,925 12,110 13,197 13,972 
			 Cheshire 11,596 12,627 13,078 16,546 
			 Cleveland 10,681 10,812 10,684 13,446 
			 Cumbria 8,405 8,943 8,922 10,126 
			 Derbyshire 14,316 15,207 14,997 17,125 
			 Devon and Cornwall 17,722 18,490 18,284 19,875 
			 Dorset 8,303 8,408 9,419 10,768 
			 Durham 11,122 10,654 10,375 12,836 
			 Essex 18,834 21,766 24,673 26,990 
			 Gloucestershire 6,570 7,990 9,087 9,264 
			 Greater Manchester 67,052 75,201 77,154 84,631 
			 Hampshire 25,100 28,125 28,714 31,624 
			 Hertfordshire 10,177 11,560 13,839 15,323 
			 Humberside 21,486 20,739 20,910 22,756 
			 Kent 23,049 24,806 27,947 28,708 
			 Lancashire 21,360 22,776 25,445 31,925 
			 Leicestershire 15,143 16,889 16,664 18,911 
			 Lincolnshire 7,728 8,391 9,078 11,282 
			 London, City of 297 409 260 365 
			 Merseyside 27,465 30,822 30,593 33,899 
			 Metropolitan Police 136,870 151,590 144,231 147,804 
			 Norfolk 10,393 10,978 11,481 13,069 
			 Northamptonshire 11,771 11,736 11,448 12,960 
			 Northumbria 31,634 30,436 29,775 34,029 
			 North Yorkshire 8,372 8,617 9,167 11,438 
			 Nottinghamshire 23,953 23,692 23,187 25,665 
			 South Yorkshire 24,198 25,305 24,173 27,513 
			 Staffordshire 15,668 18,442 21,655 25,409 
			 Suffolk 7,898 9,547 10,150 12,095 
			 Surrey 7,576 8,602 12,318 13,044 
			 Sussex 23,828 26,361 27,219 27,375 
			 Thames Valley 26,006 28,630 29,719 32,152 
			 Warwickshire 6,888 7,439 7,290 8,008 
			 West Mercia 15,346 17,410 16,817 22,778 
			 West Midlands 50,407 61,422 57,459 61,010 
			 West Yorkshire 49,239 48,106 49,568 59,262 
			 Wiltshire 6,644 7,151 7,452 8,401 
			 Total for England 823,520 890,756 906,800 1,007,567 
			  
			 Dyfed Powys 4,497 4,417 4,571 4,956 
			 Gwent 11,690 12,253 11,221 9,940 
			 North Wales 9,652 10,102 12,182 14,417 
			 South Wales 30,227 28,154 25,313 27,590 
			 Total for Wales 56,066 54,926 53,287 56,903 
			  
			 Total for England and Wales 879,586 945,682 960,087 1,064,470 
		
	
	(29) The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Criminal damage offences recorded by police force area, 200203 to 200405(30)
		
			 Number of offences 
			 Police force area 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 26,430 29,949 31,642 
			 Bedfordshire 10,050 11,065 10,561 
			 Cambridgeshire 16,153 16,534 16,227 
			 Cheshire 18,921 22,556 24,365 
			 Cleveland 14,591 16,958 16,941 
			 Cumbria 10,305 11,629 12,858 
			 Derbyshire 17,789 18,932 17,991 
			 Devon and Cornwall 26,883 30,116 31,021 
			 Dorset 12,229 13,428 12,297 
			 Durham 14,067 14,244 15,176 
			 Essex 30,337 34,253 32,406 
			 Gloucestershire 10,103 10,847 10,802 
			 Greater Manchester 76,960 81,123 73,662 
			 Hampshire 34,736 43,557 42,210 
			 Hertfordshire 17,988 19,887 20,762 
			 Humberside 24,362 28,635 28,202 
			 Kent 29,068 34,537 35,274 
			 Lancashire 30,733 39,447 40,863 
			 Leicestershire 19,210 19,480 18,955 
			 Lincolnshire 13,694 15,176 14,934 
			 London, City of 366 319 311 
			 Merseyside 37,455 39,966 41,838 
			 Metropolitan Police 144,374 147,465 135,684 
			 Norfolk 16,030 17,462 17,470 
			 Northamptonshire 15,687 17,295 16,842 
			 Northumbria 42,222 42,523 41,248 
			 North Yorkshire 13,253 14,732 13,610 
			 Nottinghamshire 23,980 26,308 29,022 
			 South Yorkshire 29,861 30,933 35,384 
			 Staffordshire 23,271 24,447 23,262 
			 Suffolk 11,497 12,817 12,781 
			 Surrey 13,669 16,571 17,271 
			 Sussex 25,548 28,792 30,830 
			 Thames Valley 33,693 37,320 37,338 
			 Warwickshire 8,514 9,318 9,728 
			 West Mercia 21,258 23,615 21,962 
			 West Midlands 57,319 59,150 56,641 
			 West Yorkshire 61,447 68,476 63,666 
			 Wiltshire 9,246 9,446 9,020 
			 Total for England 1,043,299 1,139,308 1,121,057 
			 
			 Dyfed Powys 4,920 7,032 8,186 
			 Gwent 13,126 13,681 13,494 
			 North Wales 17,090 17,036 15,093 
			 South Wales 30,935 28,519 27,558 
			 Total for Wales 66,071 66,268 64,331 
			 
			 Total for England and Wales 1,109,370 1,205,576 1,185,388 
		
	
	(30) Data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Driving Offences (Mobile Phones)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) 30 fixed penalties have been issued and (b) people have been taken to court for using a mobile phone while driving in each month since December 2003.

Hazel Blears: Driving whilst using a hand held mobile phone became an offence from one December 2003. 1,888 fixed penalty notices were issued for this offence in England and Wales in December 2003. Data for 2004 will not be available until late March 2006. Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants proceeded against at the magistrates courts for offences under Road Vehicles (Construction  Use ) Regs 1986. Reg 110 (1), England and Wales, 2004 is given in the table. There are no records of prosecutions for this offence as the principal offence in December 2003.
	
		Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts for offences relating to using a mobile phone whilst driving in England and Wales, 2004(31)
		
			 Offence: Use of hand held mobile phone while driving 
			 Statute: Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Regulation 110(31) 
			  Number 
		
		
			 January 1 
			 February 2 
			 March 4 
			 April 17 
			 May 19 
			 June 48 
			 July 47 
			 August 52 
			 September 52 
			 October 114 
			 November 66 
			 December 53 
		
	
	(31) All data given refer to the principal offence only.

Electronic Offender Monitoring

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1980W in how many of the 700 cases of damage to electronic offender monitoring equipment offenders were found to be in breach of their licence conditions and recalled to prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

National Offender Management Service

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken by regional offender managers to improve operational efficiency within the National Probation Service.

Fiona Mactaggart: The National Probation Service has improved its performance dramatically over the last four years with virtually all its delivery targets being achieved. This has been done through collaboration, benchmarking, the promotion of good practice and by rigorous performance management by the National Probation Directorate. From 1 April 2006, Regional Offender Managers will hold Service Level Agreements with Probation Boards for the delivery of Offender Management and Interventions.
	From this point on, ROMs will supplement the existing performance management arrangements. The process of monitoring delivery against SLAs provides the mechanism for ROMs to challenge and promote improvements in operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number of arrests per police officer was in each of the last seven years in (a) Romford, (b) each London borough and (c) England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The information is not held centrally in the form requested as arrests statistics are collected on a recorded crime basis only.

Police

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police authorities that suggested that they would seek federation rather than amalgamation in their response to Closing the Gap; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 31 January 2006
	Of the police authority submissions received in December 2005, four authorities expressed an interest in federated options but did not submit a costed business case for this arrangement. These authorities were: Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire and Sussex.
	In addition to this I have now received a further joint submission from Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire making the case for a strategic alliance in delivery of services. This option will undergo an assessment of its potential to deliver protective services to the required standard, and a financial assessment.

Police

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes there have been in police numbers at basic command level in the South Wales police in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of police officers for each basic command unit (BCU) in the South Wales police for each year since March 2002 is set out in the table. This information was not collected before 2002. The deployment of police officers to BCUs is an operational matter for the chief constable (Barbara Wilding QPM).
	I understand from the chief constable that the decline in BCU strength between March 2004 and March 2005 is due to the transfer of custody officers to a centrally managed criminal justice unit and the creation of operational support teams also centrally resourced. Although these officers continue to be based within each BCU they are not under its control. These changes have been cosmetic and do not reduce the number of officers available for front-line duties in each of the BCUs.
	
		South Wales policebasic command unit strengthMarch 2002 to March 2005
		
			  31 March 
			 Basic command unit 2002(32) 2003(33) 2004(33) 2005(33) 
		
		
			 Bridgend 235 254 280 247 
			 Cardiff 651 805 735 685 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 142 144 145 136 
			 Neath and Port Talbot 241 232 248 238 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff 363 381 399 378 
			 Swansea 464 500 498 454 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 195 220 228 220 
		
	
	Source:
	(32) Annual statistical data collection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	(33) Annual statistical data collection by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.

Prisoners

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost was of housing a prisoner in a low security prison in 200405.

Fiona Mactaggart: The average annual cost of housing a person in an open, or semi-open, establishment in England and Wales for the financial year 200405 is shown in the following table.
	These figures excludes the element of headquarters overheads, and includes the cost of capital on all Prison Service land and buildings, plus the cost of depreciation on buildings. These indirect costs cannot be disaggregated at establishment level. Therefore the costs are not comparable with whole service cost per prisoner figures.
	
		Average annual cost of housing a person in an open, or semi-open, establishment in England and Wales for the financial year 200405
		
			  Total average population Direct resource expenditure () Cost per prisoner () 
		
		
			 Female open 209 6,064,942 29,019 
			 Male open 3,197 65,548,367 20,503 
			 Male semi-open 1,148 26,065,679 22,705 
			 Male open young offender institution 261 8,802,198 33,725

Prisoners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners underwent treatment for drugs dependence in Lancashire in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer the hon. member to PQ 53395 which contains the information he requires.

Prisons

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on unaccompanied prison visits by teenage family members of prisoners.

Fiona Mactaggart: The protection of children within a prison environment is a key concern. For a routine social visit, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For those aged 16 and 17, subject to a full assessment of risk, the governor has the discretion to allow them to visit unaccompanied. Special arrangements exist for unaccompanied child-centred visits. Guidance will shortly be issued to prisons clarifying the position.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the long-term cost effectiveness of (a) building new prison facilities and (b) making year-on-year repairs to buildings.

Fiona Mactaggart: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has a continuing duty to maintain the prison estate and to provide capacity for those committee by the courts within its allocated budget. To determine whether it is more cost-effective either to refurbish buildings or to replace them by building new facilities, any proposed major property investment in the prison estate includes an assessment of the whole lifecycle cost of the project.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual cost has been per patient at (a) Rampton hospital, (b) Broadmoor hospital and (c) HM prison Grendon in each of the last three years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The average annual cost per prisoner held at Grendon prison, for the last three financial years is shown in the following table. These figures exclude the element of headquarters overheads, including the cost of capital on all Prison Service land and buildings, plus the cost of depreciation on buildings. These indirect costs cannot be disaggregated at establishment level.
	Therefore the costs are not comparable with whole Service cost per prisoner figures. Responsibility for Rampton and Broadmoor hospitals falls to the Department of Health who provided the information on them. Information about the cost per bed at these hospitals has been obtained from Department of Health and is shown in the following table. In contrast to the costs for Grendon, the costs for Rampton and Broadmoor include all overheads and capital charges.
	
		Average annual cost per prisoner held at Grendon prison
		
			 Financial year Total average population Direct resource expenditure Cost per prisoner () 
		
		
			 200203 464 11,834,438 25,492 
			 200304 540 14,095,177 26,086 
			 200405 520 14,704,902 28,279 
		
	
	
		Annual cost per patient at Rampton hospital and Broadmoor hospital
		
			  Cost per bed () 
			 Financial year Rampton hospital Broadmoor hospital 
		
		
			 200203 142,390 140,000 
			 200304 168,750 152,650 
			 200405 202,920 169,200 
		
	
	
		Average annual cost per prisoner held at Grendon prison
		
			 Financial year Total average population Direct resource expenditure Cost per prisoner () 
		
		
			 200203 464 11,834,438 25,492 
			 200304 540 14,095,177 26,086 
			 200405 520 14,704,902 28,279 
		
	
	
		Annual cost per patient at Rampton hospital and Broadmoor hospital
		
			  Cost per bed () 
			 Financial year Rampton hospital Broadmoor hospital 
		
		
			 200203 142,390 140,000 
			 200304 168,750 152,650 
			 200405 202,920 169,200

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners at HM prison Springhill are from the Thames Valley area.

Fiona Mactaggart: The proportion of prisoners at Springhill prison from the Thames Valley area on 1 March 2006 was approximately 70 per cent.

Prisons

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the average number of transfers between prisons that a category A prisoner will make before trial over a period of (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months and (d) two years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Category A prisoners on remand are held in one of six high security prisons with a remand facility. These are Belmarsh, Frankland, Manchester, Long Lartin, Woodhill and Wakefield. Allocation is normally based on the location of the court where the defendant is due to appear.
	Remand prisoners would not routinely be transferred prior to conviction unless there were specific grounds, such as issues of security or the transfer of the case to another court. Statistics on the number of such moves are not kept.

Public Order

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of (a) anti-social behaviour and (b) alcohol-related crime there have been in (i) the Wiltshire constabulary area and (ii) Swindon in each of the last seven years.

Hazel Blears: The data are not available in the form requested. Antisocial behaviour is not measured by incidents but through a measure of perceptions using the British Crime Survey (BCS). The size of the sample in the British Crime Survey means that we cannot provide reliable data for geographical areas smaller than police force areas. Due to changes in the measure of antisocial behaviour used police force area data that is comparable to the national figures are only available for 200405.
	The following table sets out the national figures for the last four years and the comparable figure for Wiltshire constabulary. Table 1: Percentage of people perceiving high levels of antisocial behaviour in their local area in relation to alcohol related crime, it is not possible to identify those offences which are alcohol-related. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in the data series.
	
		Table 1: Percentage of people perceiving high levels of antisocial behaviour in their local area
		
			 Percentage 
			  National Wiltshire constabulary Statistically significantly different (at the 95 per cent. level) from the national average 
		
		
			 200102 19   
			 200203 21   
			 200304 16   
			 200405 17 14 No 
		
	
	Note:
	The measure of antisocial behaviour used is based on a scale constructed from seven questions on problems due to noisy neighbours or loud parties, teenagers and young people hanging around, rubbish and litter, vandalism, people using or dealing drugs, people being drunk or rowdy and abandoned cars (see background notes for more details).

Public Order

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices were issued in Swindon for (a) public order offences and harassment and (b) selling alcohol to minors between 12 November and 24 December (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005.

Hazel Blears: It is not possible to identify the number of penalty notices for disorder issued in Swindon because centrally available data are for police force areas as a whole and are not broken down to that level of detail. The Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) scheme was brought into effect in England and Wales during 200304 to provide the police with a quick and effective means of dealing with minor offences.
	Under the scheme an offender is issued with a fixed penalty notice and has 21 days in which to pay the penalty or request a court hearing. The offences of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 and consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 were added to the scheme with effect from 1 November 2004.

Public Order

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of (i) antisocial behaviour orders and (ii) fixed penalty notices.

Hazel Blears: I would like to refer the hon. gentleman to the answer I gave on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 926W regarding antisocial behaviour orders. The Home Office has responsibility for the penalty notices for disorder scheme which enables the police to issue fixed penalty notices for specified penalty offences. The scheme was piloted in four police force areas between August 2002 and September 2003. The Home Office commissioned an interim evaluation and a final evaluation of the scheme. The findings of these evaluations were published as Home Office research findings, numbers 232 and 257, in 2004

Rape Prosecutions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of contested prosecutions for rape in the Lancashire police force area have resulted in a conviction in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants pleading not guilty of rape and the number and percentage of these found guilty of rape at the Crown Court in Lancashire police force area, is provided in the following table. Figures are presented for the years 200004. Court statistics for 2005 will be available in autumn 2006.
	
		Number of defendants pleading not-guilty of rape and the number and percentage of these found guilty of rape at the Crown Court, Lancashire police force area, 200004(34)
		
			  Not guilty pleas Found guilty Conviction rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 2000 25 9 36 
			 2001 37 14 38 
			 2002 25 7 28 
			 2003 39 13 33 
			 2004 32 8 25 
		
	
	(34) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	Note:
	Rape includes rape of a female and male.

Recovered Property (Charges)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last reviewed the statutory fees payable by the victim for the recovery from police of their property.

Hazel Blears: The police have powers to order the removal of any vehicle that is dangerously, obstructively or illegally parked, broken down or abandoned, including vehicles abandoned after being stolen. The Government regard such removals as important for road safety and crime reduction and does not consider it appropriate for the cost to fall on the public purse.
	Therefore, before owners can reclaim any vehicle so removed they are required by law to pay fees prescribed by the Secretary of State to meet the costs of removal and storage. These fees were last changed in 1993. The Government recognise the burden these necessary fees place on the owners of stolen vehicles and have investigated ways in which it be alleviated.
	As a result, the Association of Chief Police Officers has agreed best practice in the handling of stolen vehicles. This focuses on ensuring recovered vehicles are kept no longer than necessary, that the police action is fully explained in advance and that advice is provided to help owners protect their property. The Home Office, with other interested parties, is now beginning a wide-ranging review of the fees.

Recovered Property (Charges)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was charged in total to victims of theft from vehicles for recovery of their property by each police authority in 200405.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Recovered Property (Charges)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victims of vehicle theft refused to pay the fee for release of their property from the police in 200405 in each police authority area; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Sex Offenders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time taken to achieve parole was by those who (a) participated and (b) did not participate in the Sex Offender Treatment Programme in the last period for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is not available centrally recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Stolen Vehicles

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long recovered stolen vehicles are kept by each police authority before disposal where (a) the victims of the theft refuse to pay the recovery fee and (b) the original owner cannot be found.

Hazel Blears: If the police use their powers to recover a stolen vehicle, the owner has seven working days from being notified of its recovery to pay the prescribed fees for removal and storage. If he does not do so, the police will then normally authorise the vehicle's disposal. In cases where after taking reasonable steps the police have not been able to notify the owner of the recovery of his stolen vehicle, they will normally authorise its disposal on a date not less than 14 working days after the date of its recovery.

Stolen Vehicles

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how each police authority disposes of recovered stolen vehicles (a) which remain unclaimed and (b) where the owner is unable to pay a fee to recover their property.

Hazel Blears: If for any reason a recovered stolen vehicle is not claimed within the prescribed period, the police will authorise its disposal by the recovery operator working on their behalf. Disposal can be by any means, including sale or disposal as scrap. Any profit from the sale is payable to the owner if claimed within a year. A full audit trail for each vehicle recovered is maintained.

Yarl's Wood

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many detainees at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre, Bedfordshire on 8 November had been detained for (a) up to one week, (b) between one and three weeks, (c) between three and eight weeks and (d) longer than eight weeks;
	(2)  how many detainees at Yarl'sWood Detention Centre on 8 November were children; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office publishes a quarterly snapshot of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers on the last Saturday of each quarter. The latest published information pertains to people detained as at 31 December 2005.
	The accompanying table shows the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre as at 31 December 2005 broken down by length of detention and persons recorded as being under 18 on 31 December 2005.
	Additionally, internal management information shows that, as at 9 November 2005, there were 54 children detained with their families at Yarl's Wood. Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight. While the detention of families with children is very regrettable, it nevertheless remains necessary in appropriate cases in order to maintain an effective immigration control and to tackle abuses of the asylum system. Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Persons recorded as being in detention at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 December 2005, by length of detention (35)(5508880036)
		
			 Number of individuals 
			 Length of detention(37)(5508880038) Total detainees Of whom are minors(39) 
		
		
			 14 days or less 35 10 
			 15 to 29 days 65 15 
			 1 month to less than 2 months 65 5 
			 2 months to less than 3 months 35 5 
			 3 months to less than 4 months 20 * 
			 4 months to less than 6 months 10  
			 6 months to less than 1 year 15  
			 1 year or more *  
			 Total 240 30 
		
	
	(35) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2, may not sum due to rounding and exclude persons detained in police cells and those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers.
	(36) Includes persons recorded by IND as detained in Prison Service Establishments.
	(37) Relates to current period of sole detention only.
	(38) Two months is defined as 61 days; four months is defined as 122 days; six months is defined as 182 days.
	(39) People recorded as being under 18 on 31 December 2005.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Baby Changing Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received regarding the safety of parents and babies in public baby changing facilities.

Anne McGuire: HSE or local authorities, depending on the location, enforce health and safety in baby changing facilities. These facilities are mainly in department stores, shopping malls etc., which fall to local authorities. Health and safety in facilities in health centres, hospitals and local authority owned premises is enforced by HSE.
	In the last 10 years there were 17 complaints about baby changing facilities in premises enforced by HSE. These included falls from changing mats/tables, cleanliness of the facilities, and the condition of restraint straps. Also in the last 10 years, there have been five investigations resulting from accidents to babies or young children. These include three falls from changing tables and two trapped fingers in door hinges, one resulting in severe cut and the other in the amputation of the top of a finger.

Benefit Payments

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanisms are in place to assess the eligibility of benefit claimants who are UK citizens resident in foreign countries.

Stephen Timms: The Pension Service's International Pension Centre assesses the eligibility of benefit claimants resident in foreign countries according to the appropriate UK legislation and relevant reciprocal agreements.
	As with claims made within the UK, births, marriages, divorces and national insurance contributions are verified to determine an individual's entitlement. A programme of certification is also in place to ensure that benefits payments continue to be made appropriately.

Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 200405.

James Plaskitt: The Department spent (a) 6,613,954.00 on gas and (b) 17,342,661.00 on electricity in 200405.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Freedom of Information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

Anne McGuire: In the first nine months of 2005, the Department for Work and Pensions received 1,108 FOI requests (as monitored in line with Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) requirements). 167 of these took more than 20 working days to process in full, including 36 where a permitted extension of the normal limit was required in order to apply the public interest test.
	During the same period, the Department conducted 52 internal reviews where the applicant was not content with the handling of the request. In line with DCA monitoring requirements information is not kept on how many of these related to the time taken to reply.
	DCA is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the third quarter was published on 15 December 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Libraries of both Houses. An annual report will be published by DCA later this year.

Gas Safety

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Department has taken to implement the Health and Safety Commission's Fundamental Review of Gas Safety recommendation for a levy on the gas industry for research and publicity.

Anne McGuire: The levy envisaged by the Fundamental Review of Gas Safety in 2000 required primary legislation to impose such a charge. As an alternative, effort has focused on promoting a voluntary funding arrangement.
	In 2003 Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission, met with the top six gas suppliers, now collectively represented by ERA (Energy Retail Association). Agreement was reached to fund a national gas safety strategy to include the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
	On 31 January 2006, there was a roundtable discussion attended by ERA and key stakeholders with an interest in gas safety. ERA outlined activities that had been undertaken to promote gas safety. However no information was forthcoming on costs and no commitment was given at this meeting to extend publicity.
	The Chair of the All Party Gas Safety Committee, John Trickett MP, has now written to chief executives of the main energy companies expressing concern that a gas safety campaign has not materialised and requesting information on CO awareness raising activities. A further meeting will be arranged to discuss this information.
	HSE is undertaking research to examine the scale of the CO problem associated with domestic gas appliances and any further need for raising awareness. This will help identify the most appropriate publicity measures for dealing with problems. HSE retains the option of imposing a levy.

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average time taken to process a claim for jobseeker's allowance was in (a) England and (b) each region in each month from April 2004 to September 2005; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many claims for jobseeker's allowance have been manually processed in each month from April 2004 to September 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning what the average time taken to process a claim to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) was in (a) England (b) each region, in each month from April 2004 to December 2005, and how many claims for JSA have been manually processed. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	(a) The information for England is in the table below.
	(b) The information for each region has been placed in the Library.
	
		Actual average clearance times for claims for jobseeker's allowanceEngland
		
			  Clerical System Total 
			  Total JSA claims cleared in month Actual average clearance time Total JSA claims cleared in month Actual average clearance time Total JSA claims cleared in month Actual average clearance time 
		
		
			 2005   
			 December 3,756 7.2 131,857 15.3 135,613 15.0 
			 November 1,491 24.0 157,613 16.1 159,104 16.2 
			 October 3,445 20.9 147,274 15.9 150,719 16.0 
			 September 3,299 18.4 148,884 15.3 152,183 15.3 
			 August 3,753 15.7 145,949 14.6 149,702 14.7 
			 July 3,784 16.7 148,488 13.9 152,272 14.0 
			 June 3,504 16.7 146,374 13.7 149,878 13.7 
			 May 4,595 14.3 137,000 13.4 141,595 13.5 
			 April 2,848 12.0 147,402 12.9 150,250 12.9 
			 March 2,496 13.9 153,524 13.0 156,020 13.0 
			 February 2,322 13.9 146,879 13.2 149,201 13.2 
			 January 2,885 11.5 152,749 12.7 155,634 12.7 
			
			 2004   
			 December 2,048 14.0 130,712 12.1 132,760 12.1 
			 November 2,275 14.8 144,692 12.7 146,967 12.7 
			 October 2,569 14.9 142,530 12.6 145,099 12.6 
			 September 2,545 14.9 152,695 12.7 155,240 12.7 
			 August 2,179 12.5 146,828 13.2 149,007 13.1 
			 July 2,152 14.6 145,088 12.1 147,240 12.1 
			 June 2,318 14.0 140,312 12.0 142,630 12.0 
			 May 2,345 11.0 131,022 12.2 133,367 12.2 
			 April 2,072 12.7 124,162 11.9 126,234 11.9 
		
	
	Source:
	Central Data Unit for figures up to and including July 2004 and management information systems programme 04(MISP04) from August 2004 to December 2005.
	The Actual Average Clearance Times (AACT) for JSA is measured from the date the customer first contacts Jobcentre Plus to the date the customer is sent a notice of entitlement. The performance of AACT for JSA has increased nationally from 11 days in April 04 to 15 days in December 05. Initial analysis showed that shortfalls in performance in the 'initial contact' part of the process were critical. Delays in contact centres and local service outlets were a contributory factor to the situation as well as the time it can take to gather evidence from third parties before claims can be processed.
	Some of our customers did experience problems getting through to our contact centres over the Summer months. Robust plans were put in place to address this, which resulted in week on week improvements. The most recent performance information for our contact centres shows that in the week ending 3rd February we answered over 94 percent of calls offered.
	To address the issue of fluctuating clearance times in benefit processing a taskforce has developed immediate recovery measures. Building on the taskforce's work, the Jobcentre Plus Chief Operating Officer launched a National Action Plan in the week commencing 30 January. The Action Plan is built around a mandatory series of health checks, taking local managers through the whole end to end process, identifying key risk elements and, where a part of the process fails the health check, directing managers to appropriate good practice products and tool-kits. Regular reviews are undertaken to ensure areas of our business do not fall below expectation. We are already seeing improvements following the introduction of these measures.
	I hope this is helpful.

New Deal

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people have been helped by New Deal for Young People in Swindon.

Margaret Hodge: The information is in the following table.
	
		New deal for young people in Swindon
		
			   Constituency  Individuals starting new deal for young people(40) Individuals into work through new deal for young people(41) 
		
		
			 Swindon South 1,480 930 
			 Swindon North 890 540 
			 Total 2,370 1,470 
		
	
	(40) Latest data to the end of November 2005.
	(41) Latest data to the end of August 2005.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate

Pensions Act

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the delay in publishing the regulations and codes of practice under the Pensions Act 2004.

Stephen Timms: It was always our intention to phase the introduction of the regulations needed to implement the Pensions Act 2004. The majority of these regulations have been or will be published broadly on the time scale envisagedin some cases following consultation. They will come into force in time to ensure the measures in the Act come into effect as intended.
	A number of sets of regulations came into force on 30 December 2005 which related to the European Directive on Occupational Pensions (Directive 2003/41/EC). These regulations had initially been expected to be in place by 23 September 2005, in line with the overall timetable for implementing the directive. The delay was necessary in order to take account of the issues raised following extensive consultation earlier in the year.
	There has also been a delay to our planned timetable for the introduction of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2006. Consultation on the regulations raised a large number of helpful technical comments that need to be carefully considered. Therefore, although these regulations were scheduled for April 2006, they will now come into effect in October 2006. The delay will not have any untoward effects on schemes, as the existing regulations will still apply.
	The Pension Regulator can only publish supporting codes of practice when the relevant regulations have been made and laid. I have no reason to believe that all the codes of practice will not be published as soon as practicable after the relevant regulations have appeared in final form.

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the statutory instruments introduced by his Department since 6 May 2005.

Anne McGuire: The information has been placed in the Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were applied by the Export Credits Guarantee Department when deciding to support the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

Ian Pearson: ECGD carried out thorough due diligence on the ETC Pipeline Project before the decision was taken to provide support. This process included an examination of:
	the economic and political risks associated with the three host countries;
	the proposed borrowing structure, security arrangements and financial standing of the participants;
	the commercial and financial viability of the project; and
	the environmental, social and human rights impacts of the project.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project was completed on time and on budget in 2005.

Ian Pearson: Construction of the pipeline was estimated to be finalised during December 2005 but completion is now anticipated to be in the first half of 2006. Until such completion ECGD will not know the final cost.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the causes of delays in the commissioning of the Turkey section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

Ian Pearson: At the outset of this project, BTC Co. set a series of target dates for the various stages of the construction process. ECGD and its independent engineers have been kept informed by BTC Co. of delays and their causes throughout. ECGD's engineers advise that delays are common for a project of this size and nature.

Bangladesh

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the nature was of the claim made against the British Geological Survey in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: On 20 February 2004, the Court of Appeal struck out a claim by a Bangladeshi resident in a test case against the British Geological Survey (BGS), part of the Natural Environment Research Council. It was alleged that the BGS was negligent in not testing for the presence of arsenic during a pilot research study into groundwater movement in central and north eastern Bangladesh in 1992. The Court of Appeal decided that the relationship between the BGS and the claimants, who were not known to the BGS, was too remote for a duty of care towards the claimants to arise. More detailed information is available on the BGS website www.bgs.ac.uk/arsenic
	The lawyers for the claimant have appealed to the House of Lords to overturn this decision of the Court of Appeal and a hearing is set for 2223 May 2006.

British Overseas Territories

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to seek provision for the separate representation of British overseas territories at future World Trade Organisation talks.

Ian Pearson: The British overseas territories (as listed in annex II to the EC Treaty) were consulted between 1991 and 1995 by the United Kingdom when the WTO was being negotiated as to whether they wished to be covered by it. They chose not to do so. Accordingly, the overseas territories have no locus in the WTO and are not represented in WTO talks. Should any UK overseas territory wish to participate in the WTO in the future the UK Government would be happy to assist it in exploring with the WTO the means available to it to do so.

Censorship

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department issues to British companies operating overseas on censorship.

Ian Pearson: Through UK Trade and Investment, and its staff in Britain's diplomatic missions overseas, the Government provides businesses in the UK with services and advice to help them achieve international business success. This includes appropriate advice to individual companies on censorship issues where this is sought.

Cigarette Lighters

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will take steps to ensure the introduction of fire safety cigarette lighters into the UK.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The UK has already indicated its support to the European Commission for the draft Commission Decision to ban disposable cigarette lighters that do not conform to the child-resistancy requirements of technical standard EN 13869:2002 and all child-appealing novelty lighters. We expect the Decision to be formally adopted sometime over the next few weeks, and will then take steps to implement it in the UK.

Coal Imports

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much coal was imported into the UK in 2005; and what the main sources for such imports were in each year since 2000.

Alan Johnson: Provisional figures suggest that 45.1 million tonnes of coal (steam coal, coking coal, and anthracite) were imported into the UK in 2005. Figures for the major sources are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  2005 UK imports of coal (million tonnes) 
		
		
			 Total 45.1 
			 of which:  
			 Russia 17.2 
			 South Africa 13.0 
			 Australia 4.5 
			 Colombia 3.3 
			 Indonesia 1.6 
			 USA 1.4 
			 Canada 1.1 
		
	
	Source:
	HM Revenue and Customs for SITC chapter 32
	Information for earlier years was published in table G.5 of the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2005.

Electricity (Renewable Generation)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the limit on the proportion of electricity that a supplier may source from co-firing under the renewables obligations certificates scheme is to be reduced from 25 per cent. to 10 per cent. from 1 April; and if he will reverse the decision to make that reduction.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my right hon. Friend to the debate on the Renewable Obligation Order 2006 of 1 March 2006, Official Report, Second Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.

Equal Pay

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the pay gap between able bodied and disabled workers in (a) Leicester and (b) the UK in each year from 1997 to 2005; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce it.

Anne McGuire: I have been asked to reply.
	This Department has not undertaken any research into the pay gap between disabled and non-disabled workers. However, the Low Pay Commission reports that, in 2004, the pay gap for people with a work-limiting disability was 13 percentage points.
	The employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, as amended and strengthened by this Government, place a duty on an employer not to directly discriminate against a disabled person, or to treat the disabled person less favourably for a reason related to that person's disability, unless this can be justified. The Equal Opportunities Commission's Code of Practice on Equal Pay also makes clear that it is good practice for employers to compare the pay of disabled and non-disabled people doing equal work.
	As a result of a strong economy and active labour market policies, the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people is starting to close. The employment rate for disabled people was 38.1 per cent. in spring 1998, rising to 46.6 per cent. by spring 2005; over the same period, the employment gap fell from 35.1 per cent. to 28 per cent.
	The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People set out a 20-year strategy to realise our vision of substantive equality for disabled people. This strategy is being driven by a new Office for Disability Issues, which was launched in December 2005.

Fireworks

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidelines exist for the design of fireworks with regard to their safety; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: All consumer fireworks sold in the UK must comply with British Standard BS 7114. This standard is called up by both the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 (as amended) and the Fireworks Regulations 2004 (as amended). The standard was prepared to ensure that firework design, construction, labelling and performance minimises the risk of injury to users and onlookers and the public in general.

Gas Imports

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much and what percentage of gas imported to the UK came from Russia in each quarter since January 2002.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 1 March 2006
	No UK gas demand has so far been met directly from Russian sources. It is not possible to identify where gas imported through the Zeebrugge to Bacton interconnector was physically sourced.

Gas Supplies

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual (a) volume and (b) value of gas (i) exported from and (ii) imported to the UK was in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Information on UK trade in natural gas since 1997 is contained in the following table. Data for 2005 is provisional and subject to revision over forthcoming months.
	
		
			  Volume (GWh) Value ( million) 
			  Imported Exported Imported Exported 
		
		
			 1997 14,062 21,666 103 80 
			 1998 10,582 31,604 43 80 
			 1999 12,862 84,433 27 230 
			 2000 26,032 146,342 153 579 
			 2001 30,464 138,330 187 746 
			 2002 60,493 150,731 260 848 
			 2003 86,298 177,039 135 946 
			 2004 133,035 114,111 670 645 
			 2005 173,372 96,184 1,742 673 
		
	
	Source:
	DTI energy statistics; HMRC overseas trade statistics.

Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individual claimants have been informed by his Department that their case is being delayed due to negotiations over costs payments for noise-induced hearing loss claims to his Department due to breach of section 4 (2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000.

Malcolm Wicks: Payment of compensation by the Department's claims handlers would not be delayed by negotiations over solicitors' costs.

Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether references have been made to the Serious Fraud Office concerning breaches of rule 4(2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000.

Malcolm Wicks: No such reference has been made to the Serious Fraud Office. It is not a matter for them but one for the courts to resolve.

India (Imports/Exports)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of (a) imports from and (b) exports to India was in (i) goods and (ii) services in each of the last five years; if he will ask the Office for National Statistics to add this data to the monthly trade statistical releases; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The information requested is as follows:
	
		UK trade in goods and services with India
		
			  million 
			  Exports Imports 
			  Goods Services Goods Services 
		
		
			 2000 2,058 549 1,651 663 
			 2001 1,797 664 1,825 814 
			 2002 1,755 619 1,794 804 
			 2003 2,293 688 2,088 783 
			 2004 2,237 812 2,276 1,015 
			 2005 2,813 n/a 2,829 n/a 
		
	
	Note:
	Data for 200004 is on a balance of payments basis. No services data is available for 2005 at present and the goods figures for 2005 are on an overseas trade statistics basis.
	Source:
	HM Revenue and Customs and Office for National Statistics (Pink Book).
	This data is available in the ONS's Pink Book published annually, and from HM Revenue and Customs.
	There has been excellent growth in bilateral trade and investment between the UK and India over recent years with data to October 2005 indicating a 29.4 per cent. increase in exports to India compared to the same period in 2004. The UK is the fifth biggest investor in India with UK companies involved in 9.8 per cent. of all new FBI into India since 1991.
	The UK Government is committed to furthering UK trade and investment opportunities with India through the Prime Minister's Initiative and through JETCO, the UK-India Joint-Economic and Trade Committee. Under JETCO, business to business working groups, supported by both Governments, are working to identify opportunities and remove barriers to trade and investment in both the UK and India. UK Trade and Investment's team in India is its second biggest globally, after the USA.

Labour Statistics

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the labour market were women in 2005.

Gerry Sutcliffe: According to the Labour Force Survey, for the calendar year 2005 an average of 45.8 per cent. of those in the labour force (aged 16 and over and economically active) were women.
	During the same period, an average of 46.1 per cent. of those in employment were women.

Labour Statistics

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of those employed in (a) manager and senior positions, (b) process, plant and machine operations and (c) skilled trade in 2005 were women.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Please see the following table.
	
		Table 1. Male and female employment by occupation(42)
		
			 Percentage 
			  Male Female 
		
		
			 Managers and senior officials 66 34 
			 Skilled trades occupations 92 8 
			 Process, plant and machine operatives 87 13 
		
	
	(42) Occupation in main job.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey, autumn 2005

Lesotho

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value was of (a) exports to and (b) imports from Lesotho in each of the past 20 years at current prices.

Alan Johnson: Information on the UK's trade in goods with Lesotho from 1986 to 2005 is shown in the table below.
	
		 million
		
			  UK exports to Lesotho UK imports from Lesotho 
		
		
			 1986 2.128 0.276 
			 1987 1.111 0.485 
			 1988 1.260 0.977 
			 1989 0.795 0.734 
			 1990 0.642 1.288 
			 1991 3.258 2.799 
			 1992 2.725 4.159 
			 1993 0.908 2.343 
			 1994 0.665 1.605 
			 1995 1.324 0.399 
			 1996 1.864 0.060 
			 1997 4.847 0.105 
			 1998 1.041 0.015 
			 1999 0.755 0.000 
			 2000 0.313 0.828 
			 2001 1.941 1.883 
			 2002 1.048 1.116 
			 2003 0.202 0.516 
			 2004 0.190 0.262 
			 2005 0.511 0.304 
		
	
	Note:
	2005 figures are subject to revision.
	Source:
	Overseas Trade Statistics

Lisbon Agenda

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what policies his Department has adopted to assist the United Kingdom's fulfilment of the Lisbon Agenda criteria.

Ian Pearson: The Government strongly support the renewed Lisbon focus on jobs and growth as the best way to meet the challenges of globalisation and boost prosperity and living standards for all. The UK National Reform Programme details our policy response to these challenges. The Department of Trade and Industry is driving forward micro-economic reforms in areas such as competition, enterprise, science and innovation, skills and investment.
	We expect the spring Council in March to emphasise the importance of implementation of national commitments to reform.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of how many cases Browns Solicitors of Bradford have been refused full payment of their costs due to breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee agreement regulations with regard to miners' hearing loss claims.

Malcolm Wicks: This information is not readily available. Miners' hearing loss claims are not schemed so solicitors' costs for each claim are dealt with on their own merits. Concerns relating to a breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee regulations would be raised as part of the negotiations on the appropriate level of costs for any given claim.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in how many instances claimants have been informed of his Department's insurers' refusal to meet all solicitors' costs because of a breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee agreement regulations.

Malcolm Wicks: Neither the Department nor its claims handlers would inform a claimant directly of a refusal to meet solicitors' costs in full unless contacted by the claimant. No tally of such contacts are kept. However, the onus to keep a claimant appraised of developments falls to the claimant's representatives.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  in how many ongoing cases his Department's insurers are disputing costs because of a possible breach of regulation four of the conditional fee agreement regulations;
	(2)  how many costs payments were refused for cases by solicitors for noise-induced hearing loss claims to his Department due to breach of section 4 (2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000 in 2005; and how many such refusals there have been in 2006;
	(3)  what the total value is of costs payments that have been refused for cases for noise-induced hearing loss claims to his Department due to breach of section 4 (2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000;
	(4)  how many (a) costs payments and (b) costs payments for cases involving Beresfords solicitors for noise-induced hearing loss claims to his Department are being negotiated due to breach of section 4(2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000;
	(5)  what percentage of noise-induced hearing loss cases disputed due to breaches of rule 4(2)c of the Conditional Fee Agreement Regulations 2000 included a disbursement payment to (a) Vendside, (b) Beresfords solicitors, (c) Melex Ltd., (d) Dr. Yeoh, (e) NIG and (f) Composite Legal Expen when costs were negotiated.

Malcolm Wicks: This information is not readily available. Miners' hearing loss claims are not schemed so solicitors' costs for each claim are dealt with on their own merits. Concerns relating to a breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee regulations would be raised as part of the negotiations on the appropriate level of costs for any given claim.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that solicitors abide by Law Society adjudications on complaints from the Miners' Compensation Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: This is a matter for the Law Society and the Department has no enforcement powers. The Law Society has this week written to all solicitors involved in the coal health compensation schemes to urge any who have deducted money from claimants' compensation scheme to repay it. This scheme was set up to compensate sick miners and the families of the deceased and it is wholly unacceptable that any of this money should be taken as fees. The firms in question should now act on this and promptly.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much in solicitors' costs has been partially refused due to breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee regulations for miners' hearing loss claims.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 2 March 2006
	This information is not readily available. Miners' hearing loss claims are not schemed so solicitors' costs for each claim are dealt with on their own merits. Concerns relating to a breach of regulation 4 of the conditional fee regulations would be raised as part of the negotiations on the appropriate level of costs for any given claim.

National Institute for Medical Research

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what (a) advice he has received about and (b) assessment he has made of the security implications of moving the National Institute for Medical Research from Mill Hill to Camden; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost of relocation of category four containment facilities from the National Institute for Medical Research to the proposed new site on Hampstead road, Camden; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the estimated cost is of the proposed relocation of the National Institute for Medical Research from Mill Hill to Camden; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The proposed move of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is a matter for the Medical Research Council (MRC). My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury of Turville has been briefed by MRC's chief executive, Professor Colin Blakemore, on MRC's plans for moving the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). I have asked Professor Blakemore to write to the hon. Member.

Oil Imports

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of oil in the UK was imported from Venezuela in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The quantity and percentage of crude oil imported from Venezuela between 2000 and 2004 is shown in the following table.
	
		Venezuela
		
			  Quantity of crude oil imported (thousand tonnes) Share of UK crude oil imports (per cent.) Share of UK crude oil supply (per cent.) 
		
		
			 2000 1,092 2.2 1.3 
			 2001 1,137 2.3 1.5 
			 2002 1,293 2.5 1.7 
			 2003 1,124 2.4 1.4 
			 2004 1,337 2.4 1.6 
		
	
	Source:
	International Energy Agency; DTI Digest of UK Energy Statistics.

Oil Licences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many oil licences were issued by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table shows by year the number of offshore (seaward) and onshore (landward) oil and gas licences awarded by my Department in the last 10 years. In some cases the actual date of issue may occur in following year.
	
		Oil and gas licences1995 to 2005
		
			  Seaward Landward 
		
		
			 1995 45 3 
			 1996 0 22 
			 1997 28 0 
			 1998 47 35 
			 1999 1 0 
			 2000 0 44 
			 2001 9 0 
			 2002 32 23 
			 2003 92 8 
			 2004 98 27 
			 2005 151 0

Oil/Gas Industry Regulations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the operation of (a) the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001, (b) the Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971, (c) the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution, Prevention and Control) Regulations 2005 and (d) the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the oil and gas industry.

Malcolm Wicks: The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 apply the European habitats directive and the wild birds directive in relation to oil and gas projects on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). For the purpose of the regulations, oil and gas activities are defined as those carried out under the Petroleum Act 1998 in connection with the exploration for or production of petroleum on the UKCS.
	The Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971 was replaced last year by the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution, Prevention and Control) Regulations 2005 which introduce a permitting regime to the UK oil and gas industry in relation to any oil discharges to the marine environment. In addition the new regulations introduce more wide-ranging powers for the DTI's Offshore Environmental Inspectors and authorise the introduction of Trading Schemes.
	The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive which reports to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Oil/Gas Industry Regulations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the operation of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in its application to the oil and gas industry.

Malcolm Wicks: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive which reports to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has had no recent representations on the Act's application to the oil and gas industry. PILOT, the joint industry/Government forum for the offshore oil and gas industry, which I chair and which includes a representative from the HSE, receives regular feedback on the progress of the industry's Step Change safety initiative.
	Ministers and officials have also been involved in discussions with industry, other Departments and local communities following the explosion at the Buncefield oil terminal, on which the Health and Safety Executive published a progress report recently.

Oxley and Coward Solicitors

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Oxley and Coward solicitors refused to release papers as instructed by Thomas Foster, a constituent of the hon. Member for Bassetlaw; and if he will take steps to investigate the matter.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 2 March 2006
	This would appear to be an issue that your constituent should resolve with his solicitor. If so, and an impasse has been reached, it may be appropriate to refer the matter to the Law Society.

Post Offices

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) officials from his Department have had discussions with the European Commission on subsidy payments for the financial year 200607 to Post Office Ltd.

Barry Gardiner: The European Commission cleared our state aid application on 24 February 2006 to help maintain non-commercial rural post office branches. Following formal notification of our application in March 2005, two technical meetings were held between officials of DTI and the Commission.

Post Offices

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value is of the subsidy his Department proposes to pay during 200607 financial year to Post Office Ltd. for the maintenance of (a) rural and (b) other post offices.

Barry Gardiner: European Commission clearance has been given to pay up to 150 million to Post Office Ltd. to maintain non-commercial rural post offices in financial year 200607. There is also provision for Post Office Ltd. to draw-down up to 145 million in financial year 200607 to cover cash outflows, as approved by the European Commission under Decision N 784/2002.

Post Offices

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the payment of subsidies to Post Office Ltd. for the maintenance of (a) rural and (b) other post offices required clearance from the European Commission under EU state aid rules.

Barry Gardiner: Government support to maintain rural post office branches required clearance from the European Commission under article 87 section 1 of the treaty. There is no similar support measure for non-rural branches.

Potash

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's policy is on potash anti-dumping measures.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The UK has supported the opening of an expiry review of the existing anti-dumping duties on potash. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the existing anti-dumping measures need to be extended. The review should be concluded by no later than July 2006 but in the meantime the existing measures stay in force.

Public Sector Shareholdings

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which public sector shareholdings have a market valuation; and what their current values are.

Barry Gardiner: There are no market valuations for any DTI public sector shareholdings.

Responsible Borrowing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government policy is on enabling financial institutions to share customer data to facilitate responsible borrowing; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A key plank in our responsible lending policy is to encourage the greater sharing of data by creditors to enable them to make better responsible lending decisions. Major high street lenders have made significant steps towards full data sharing including data on current accounts. We will shortly be consulting on removing legislative barriers to the sharing of data on approximately 40 million accounts where the debtors did not give their permission for the data to be shared as part of the credit agreement. The Government are also taking steps to address responsible borrowing, such as improving financial education and the FSA's online debt test, as set out in the Government's Annual Report on Tackling Over-indebtedness.

Shareholder Executive

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the (a) public bodies and (b) shareholdings which fall within the remit of the Shareholder Executive.

Barry Gardiner: The Shareholder Executive's portfolio is listed in Annex A to its Annual Report 200405, as placed in the Library of the House on 21 October 2005. It is also available at www.shareholderexecutive.gov.uk/publications.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from industry regarding the UK's implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive.

Malcolm Wicks: I announced on 14 December that the Department would review proposals for implementing the directive in the UK. We have received a number or representations from stakeholder groups during this review, and will continue to discuss the issues with them before undertaking formal consultation later in the spring.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce an enforceable recycling charge for electrical and electronic equipment under the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive.

Malcolm Wicks: I announced on 14 December that the Department would review proposals for implementing the directive in the UK. I will announce the results of this review in due course.

Wind Power

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has made an assessment of the impact of wind power generation in other countries on (a) employment opportunities and (b) the environment; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has not carried out any assessment of the impact of wind power generation on employment opportunities in other countries. However, the European Wind Energy Association estimate that more than 72,000 people are currently employed in the wind sector across Europe, with the potential to employ 200,000 people by 2020. This compares to just 25,000 jobs in 1998.
	The Department has made no assessment of the impact of wind power generation on the environment in other countries. However, we recognise that wind power, like other low carbon technologies, has the potential to make a significant contribution in reducing greenhouse gas emissionsthe main cause of climate change.

Wind Power

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the (a) employment opportunities resulting from and (b) the environmental impact of wind power; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department estimates that there are currently 8,000 people employed in the renewables industry in the UK, the majority of which work in the wind sector. Given the continued growth of the renewables industry in the UK, we estimate that this could rise to between 17,000 and 35,000 jobs by 2020.
	The Department has established a research advisory group to fund research into the impact of wind farms on the environment, including addressing concerns over seascape, birds and navigational safety. In addition, applications for consent to construct wind farms, submitted to the DTI, are accompanied by an environmental impact assessment.
	Indeed projects like the Black Law windfarm demonstrate that, if properly sited, such developments not only produce zero emissions, but can also have a positive impact on the environment. The RSPB make clear that the Black Law windfarm, on the site of an abandoned opencast coalmine, represents an exciting opportunity to deliver real biodiversity benefits through habitat management.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Accidental Dwelling Fires

John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to reduce the number of accidental dwelling fires started by children between the ages of 0 and nine years and related casualties.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Young children are particularly vulnerable to death and injury by fire and may also cause fire accidentally. Nearly all fire and rescue services provide fire safety education in schools, supported by materials from the National Community Fire Safety Centre. Most fire and rescue services also work with individual young firesetters and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published good practice guidance in 2005.
	To ensure early and effective intervention and education, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently published for public consultation a draft Fire and Rescue Service Strategy for Children and Young People. The Strategy will deliver a reduction in fire risk for children of all ages. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are currently working through the responses and the ODPM will publish a final version of the Strategy later this year.

Arm's Length Organisations

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) value and (b) repayment date is of each loan provided by his Department to arm's length management organisations in London.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not provide loans to arm's length management organisations (ALMOs).
	The ODPM's financial support for local authorities takes the form of supported borrowing approvals. The allocations for local authorities with ALMOs in London are tabled as follows.
	
		 million
		
			  ALMO allocation 
			 Authority 200204 200406 
		
		
			 Round 1   
			 Hounslow 35.0 64.7 
			 Westminster 20.3 53.7 
		
	
	
		 million
		
			  ALMO allocation 
			  200305 200507 
		
		
			 Round 2   
			 Brent 33.8 20.2 
			 Hillingdon 16.6 31.4 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 21.7 21.7 
		
	
	
		 million
		
			  ALMO allocation 
			  200406 200608 
		
		
			 Round 3   
			 Barnet 19 29.9 
			 Islington 24.9 59.6 
		
	
	
		
			 200507 ALMO allocation ( million) 
		
		
			 Round 4  
			 Brent (partial) 14.0 
			 Ealing 64.0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 78.1 
		
	
	
		
			 200608 ALMO allocation ( million) 
		
		
			 Round 5  
			 Hackney(43) 88.980 
			 Lambeth (part)(43) 8.589 
			 Newham(43) 78.113 
		
	
	(43) Allocation subject to the local authority receiving the Secretary of State's consent to delegate its housing management functions to its ALMO and the ALMO receiving at least a two star rating from the Housing Inspectorate.
	These approvals give permission for a local authority to borrow money to fund capital expenditure on its stock. Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Subsidy is paid to local authorities by ODPM to cover the interest payments that a local authority must make on this borrowing. The terms of the loans taken out by local authorities with ALMOs are a matter for the individual local authorities.

Barker Report

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the population growth and immigration assumptions used in the Barker report on future housing needs.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The assumptions on population growth in the Barker report were based on the Office for National Statistics population projections.

Brownfield Sites

Stephen Byers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will re-define the term brownfield site to exclude gardens of residential homes.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 27 February 2006
	Draft Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (PPS3), published for consultation in December 2005, does not propose a change in the definition of brownfield land, residential gardens have been included as brownfield land since 1985. However as draft PPS3 emphasises, this does not necessarily mean that they are suitable for development.
	The consultation period for responses to draft PPS3 closed on 27 February. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consider any consultation responses on this matter when finalising PPS3.

Business Rates (Milton Keynes)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid in business rates in Milton Keynes in each year since 199697; and how much was received by Milton Keynes Council from the central rate pool.

Phil Woolas: The amounts Milton Keynes collected in business rates and the amounts they received back from the central pool from 199798 to 200405 are set out in the following table. Unfortunately this information is not readily available for 199697.
	
		National non-domestic business rates (NNDR)Milton Keynes
		
			  Collected by the authority () Received from the NNDR pool () 
		
		
			 199697   
			 199798(44) 66,752,909 43,629,207 
			 199899 65,361,786 46,461,053 
			 19992000 70,826,102 51,080,491 
			 200001 82,294,976 58,516,749 
			 200102 93,837,068 58,183,087 
			 200203 98,596,264 64,529,538 
			 200304 92,889,226 62,891,597 
			 200405 99,363,282 58,782,184 
		
	
	(44) Collection figure includes 1,050,221.10 in recouped schools relief; audited contribution figure was 65,702,688

Capacity Fund

Michael Wills: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding the Department has made available through the Capacity Fund for the Partnership between Swindon borough and Kent county councils.

Phil Woolas: Swindon received approval for a grant of 1 million in March 2005 to enable the council to meet expenditure incurred through the piloting of a social services franchise with Kent CC. The Department of Health met 180,000 of the 1 million.
	The Kent Swindon franchise has enabled the council to move from 0 Star Social Services in December 2003 to 1 Star (December 2005).

Council Housing

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of the council housing stock of (a) houses and (b) flats in Gateshead, East and Washington, West constituency has been sold under the right-to-buy scheme since 1980.

Yvette Cooper: An estimated 35 per cent. of council housing stock in Gateshead has been sold through the right-to-buy scheme since 1980. Information concerning the type of dwelling sold through right-to-buy and constituency level data are not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Energy Costs

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by his Office on (a) gas and (b) electricity in 200405.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The cost of electricity and gas used in the properties occupied by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and its agencies in 200405 are as follows:
	
		
		
			  Gas Electricity 
		
		
			 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister(45) 121,855 526,517 
			 Agencies 264,168 715,145 
			 Total 386,023 1,241,662 
		
	
	(45) Excluding Government Offices.
	This answer does not include figures for 26 Whitehall, which is managed by the Cabinet Office, and for which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister pays an agreed proportion of the cost of all services supplied by the Cabinet Office.
	This answer also does not include the buildings occupied by Government Offices, which carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Fire and Rescue Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many deaths from accidental dwelling fires there were in each fire and rescue service in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the number of deaths from accidental dwelling fires for each fire and rescue service in England in each year since 1997.
	
		Fatal casualties in accidental dwelling fires, by fire and rescue serviceEngland, 19972004
		
			 FRS area 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 (46)2002 (46)2003 2004 
		
		
			 England 376 339 281 303 321 265 302 230 
			 England (non met counties) 210 176 144 164 167 154 157 123 
			 Avon 1 3 6 4 4 6 6 2 
			 Bedfordshire 2 3 1 5 3 4 3 2 
			 Berkshire 4 6 3 7 4 1 4 1 
			 Buckinghamshire 6 1 3 5 3 4 4 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 4 1 2 2 1 0 0 2 
			 Cheshire 9 6 7 6 7 5 4 1 
			 Cleveland 7 2 2 1 5 2 5 2 
			 Cornwall 6 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 
			 Cumbria 4 5 3 3 5 2 3 3 
			 Derbyshire 6 7 4 9 5 5 8 5 
			 Devon 3 5 3 5 3 3 6 1 
			 Dorset 5 1 8 1 8 3 1 3 
			 Durham 8 4 5 4 3 3 8 3 
			 East Sussex 5 6 4 2 3 2 6 4 
			 Essex 9 4 6 8 5 7 6 5 
			 Gloucestershire 4 2 0 2 0 2 4 1 
			 Hampshire 5 6 9 7 5 4 5 7 
			 Hereford and Worcester 3 4 2 2 2 4 4 1 
			 Hertfordshire 10 5 4 6 5 6 0 0 
			 Humberside 6 8 4 7 6 7 7 7 
			 Isle of Wight 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Kent 7 5 5 9 10 6 6 5 
			 Lancashire 22 15 13 15 14 19 12 15 
			 Leicestershire 4 9 3 1 4 5 4 8 
			 Lincolnshire 2 7 3 3 4 5 4 4 
			 Norfolk 5 1 5 6 5 2 4 3 
			 North Yorkshire 6 8 4 2 4 5 5 2 
			 Northamptonshire 4 5 2 3 2 2 2 3 
			 Northumberland 3 1 1 1 6 0 3 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 15 9 7 3 6 5 3 5 
			 Oxfordshire 2 8 5 1 3 6 4 2 
			 Shropshire 1 0 1 5 2 3 1 1 
			 Somerset 4 1 0 1 4 1 4 2 
			 Staffordshire 9 8 6 6 5 4 2 4 
			 Suffolk 4 6 1 3 5 4 4 2 
			 Surrey 5 5 3 7 2 4 7 2 
			 Warwickshire 2 3 1 5 6 0 1 2 
			 West Sussex 4 3 4 3 2 4 3 9 
			 Wiltshire 3 0 1 0 2 6 1 0 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 England (met counties) 166 163 137 139 154 111 145 107 
			 Greater Manchester 26 23 27 21 27 16 21 17 
			 Merseyside 10 20 7 20 13 10 8 11 
			 South Yorkshire 6 12 11 10 17 4 10 11 
			 Tyne and Wear 5 10 5 5 7 4 6 3 
			 West Midlands 15 17 16 27 17 15 17 11 
			 West Yorkshire 20 20 17 18 11 12 22 15 
			 Greater London 84 61 54 38 62 50 61 39 
		
	
	(46) Includes fatalities reported during periods of industrial action in 2002 and 2003.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.

Fire and Rescue Service

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the real cash changes expected are in each of the regional fire and rescue services budgets in England in each year from 2000 to 2009.

Phil Woolas: Each fire and rescue authority and county council who have responsibility for the provision of fire services set their own budgets. Annual budgets are financed by council tax, formula grant, specific grants and local authority reserves. Budget information for 200607 to 200910 is not available. Figures for the allocations of formula grant for 200607 and 200708 to each authority with fire and rescue responsibilities were laid before the House on 31 January 2006 and are also available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0607/grant.htm
	However, figures on reported budgets at the beginning of each year and total service expenditure, which shows actual expenditure in the year are available. The figures provided are based on the total service expenditure. This is the only definition for which figures are available on a consistent basis from 200001 to 200506. This is because fire authorities in shire areas were financed largely by contributions from county councils and unitary authorities in their area before 200405, and these amounts were netted off under all the other definitions. Since 200506 fire authorities have been able to finance their budget directly. Year-on-year percentage change in real terms has been calculated using the HM Treasury's GDP deflators.

Fire and Rescue Service

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much it cost on average to employ a firefighter in each of the first 10 years of service.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing Associations

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what money is available for housing associations to build houses in Chorley.

Yvette Cooper: Chorley has received over 5.5 million through the last three Approved Development Programme bid rounds (200203 to 200406). This will generate cash spend over a number of years and completions will be delivered in subsequent years to the allocation being made.

Housing Associations

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money the Government has made available for housing in Chorley in the last three years.

Yvette Cooper: Allocations to Chorley BC of capital funding for housing purposes over the period 200304 to 200506 total 7.9 million.
	This includes the Major Repairs Allowance first introduced in 200102 specifically for the improvement of local authority stock alongside the Decent Homes standard which sets out minimum standards to be met by 2010.
	In the same period an additional 4.3 million was allocated by the Housing Corporation from its Approved Development Programme to schemes in Chorley.

Inner-city Regeneration Projects

Gary Streeter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 302, on inner-city regeneration projects, what steps he has taken since 1 February 2006 to review spending decisions by Plymouth council to assess whether they are fair.

Phil Woolas: It is the responsibility of each local authority to make their spending decisions based on their needs, however the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recommend that, in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (Planning for Open Space Sport and Recreation), local authorities should assess the needs and opportunities of their local community, including provision for children and teenagers.
	I understand that Plymouth city council prioritises its investment in refurbishing and upgrading its play areas across the city on the basis of health and safety risk assessments. Following such assessments, Plymouth city council has just completed two play area refurbishments and upgrades at Dean's Cross and Hooe Green in Plymstock, and a third scheme is in progress at Hemerdon Heights in Plympton.

Local Authority Employees

Philip Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost of the Single Status Scheme for Council employees to (a) Bradford Council, (b) councils in Yorkshire and (c) all councils in England; and what financial support the Government are providing to local authorities for implementing the scheme.

Phil Woolas: The Government have made no assessment of these costs. Local government agreed, with the unions, to carry out Single Status Reviews as part of the last round of pay negotiations. It is for local authorities as individual employers to resolve the issue of equal pay in an affordable manner.

Local Government Restructuring

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the meetings that departmental (a) Ministers and (b) officials have had with local authority (i) officials and (ii) representatives on local government restructuring in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 27 February 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her on 2 March 2006.

Local Government Restructuring

Robert Syms: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the meetings that the Minster of Housing and Planning has had in the last 12 months with local authority (a) officials and (b) representatives on local government restructuring.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East and Saddleworth (Mr. Woolas) on 2 March 2006.

Sheppey General Hospital Site

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions have taken place between English Partnerships and the local residents concerning the re-development of the old Sheppey general hospital site.

Yvette Cooper: A development brief for the old Sheppey general hospital site was adopted by the local authority, Swale borough council, as Supplementary Planning Guidance on 17 March 2004. This brief was adopted following a six week period of public consultation and subsequent consideration of over 20 representations received.
	English Partnerships marketed the site in October 2005 using the adopted development brief, to which the forthcoming development will adhere.

Social Housing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people are on the waiting list for rented social housing in Chorley.

Yvette Cooper: Local authority figures supplied to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister show the total number of households on the housing register in Chorley was 1,770 at 1 April 2005.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Ascension Island

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the legislation to provide a right of abode and a right to own property on Ascension Island; and how much was spent by Her Majesty's Government in providing legal advice in preparation of the legislation.

Douglas Alexander: pursuant to the reply, 6 February 2006, Official Report, c. 765766W
	My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, wrote to Ascension Island Councillors on 19 January, explaining that there would be no further development of right of abode or the right to own property on Ascension Island. As such there are no current plans to introduce legislation to develop a right of abode and the right to own property on Ascension Island.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s Constitutional Advisor on the Overseas Territories, Michael Bradley QC, provides advice to the Government on a range of issues relating to the Overseas Territories, including Ascension Island. He has also undertaken work for the Ascension Island Government. For the period 20012005, the estimated cost to the Government of his advice directly attributable to the right of abode and right to own property was 2,500. This is necessarily an estimate given that these issues may have been touched on in the context of broader advice on options for Ascension Island.
	In 2004, the FCO's Good Government Fund also approved funding for an Ascension Island government project to strengthen the legal system on the Island. The objective of the project was to provide the government of Ascension Island with a legal advisor to, inter alia, update the laws of Ascension, undertake legal drafting and create better Government documents, which could include on right of abode. Initial personnel costs attached to this project were 60,000. Following a supplementary bid the FCO has provided a total of 106,000 to the Ascension Island government for this project.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department offers to British tourists visiting Burma.

Ian Pearson: The full travel advice for Burma is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029390590a=KCountryAdviceaid=1013618387126.
	Travel advice is also available by calling 0845 850 2829.

Cyprus

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions (a) Ministers and (b) officials have visited Cyprus in each of the last nine years.

Douglas Alexander: The following Ministers of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have visited Cyprus over the last nine years: my right hon. Friend Joyce Quin in 1999, my hon. Friend Keith Vaz in 2001, my right hon. Friend Peter Hain in 2002, my right hon. Friend Denis MacShane in 2004, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in 2006. Government Ministers from other Government Departments have also visited the island. There have been a great many visits by officials during this period.

Diego Garcia

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign troops there are in Diego Garcia.

Douglas Alexander: There are a total of 1,209 foreign troops currently based on Diego Garcia:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 United States Navy 446 
			 United States Air Force 763

Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest advice from the Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission; and what progress has been made towards reaching a settlement in the region.

Ian Pearson: We note the awards made by the Eritrea Ethiopia Claims Commission in its December 2005 report and call on both sides to continue to co-operate with the Commission.
	We support fully the current US initiative aimed at reaching a lasting settlement to the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and call on both parties to cooperate with the US in its efforts, including attending any further meetings of the Ethiopia Eritrea
	Boundary Commission.

Guantanamo Bay

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government regard illegal enemy combatants as a legitimate category of detainee under international law.

Ian Pearson: The duties of states towards those who are in their power as a result of an international armed conflict are set out in international humanitarian law, including in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Additional Protocol I of 1977. Article 43 of Additional Protocol I sets out a definition of combatant, and Article 75 of Additional Protocol I sets out fundamental guarantees to be accorded to those in the power of a party to a conflict.

Guantanamo Bay

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the infliction of simulated drowning falls within the definition of torture or cruel and inhumane treatment used by the Government for the purposes of international law.

Ian Pearson: Whether the conduct described constitutes torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment for the purposes of the UN Convention Against Torture would depend on all the circumstances of the case.

Human Rights

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's most recent assessment is of the human rights situation in (a) Uganda, (b) Uzbekistan, (c) China, (d) Rwanda and (e) the Maldives; what conclusions have been drawn; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government are committed to promoting human rights overseas, as set out in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's annual reports on human rights. Our most recent assessments of the situations in the countries listed in the question are as follows:
	Uganda
	There remains a great deal to do to secure full respect for human rights in Uganda. We are particularly concerned by the situation in northern Uganda. As a result of the long-running conflict, 1.7 million people are living in appalling conditions in internally displaced peoples' camps and over 20,000 children have been abducted by the rebel Lord's Resistance Army since 1988.
	We continue to emphasise the importance of upholding human rights in our discussions with the Ugandan government. There have been some positive developments. In June 2005, the constitutional court ruled that mandatory death sentences were unconstitutional. Uganda benefits from an independent judiciary and a relatively free press but concerns do remain regarding restrictions on political freedom and reports of arbitrary detention and torture.
	Uzbekistan
	We remain gravely concerned by the situation in Uzbekistan. There have been some welcome steps, albeit limited, by the government of Uzbekistan to implement their national action plan on torture based on international recommendations; and President Karimov has announced plans to abolish the death penalty by 1 January 2008. However, overall there has been a clear deterioration in the human rights situation in Uzbekistan. The arbitrary arrest, detention and trials of eye-witnesses to the events in Andizhan of 1213 May 2005 have been accompanied by increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion, by a continuing refusal to register political parties, and by ongoing harassment, detention and trial of human rights defenders, journalists and others.
	The People's Republic of China
	We have serious concerns about a wide range of human rights issues in China. Although China has done much in recent years to reduce poverty and promote economic development, we believe China also needs to make substantive progress on human rights and implement serious political reforms to match its economic development. We continue to engage critically with China through the UK China Human Rights Dialogue, Ministerial contacts and EU mechanisms.
	Rwanda
	The human rights situation in Rwanda still gives grounds for concern, but Rwanda is making progress. We regularly meet local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Rwandan National Human Rights Commission to discuss the human rights situation. We are monitoring Rwanda's implementation of its 5-year strategy on human rights, particularly freedom of expression and judicial independence. We have raised with the government issues such as alleged human rights abuses committed by the security services, and urged that perpetrators to be brought swiftly to trial. We have also raised our concerns on opening political space in Rwanda. There are some encouraging signs that are functioning, if not truly independent, civil society is emerging.
	The Maldives
	We continue to have concerns about the human rights situation in the Maldives, particularly freedom of expression and association and the right to fair trials conducted with due legal process. We share concerns that recent trials of political activists appear to have political motivations. We regularly make clear our concerns to the government of the Maldives both bilaterally, and with EU partners. We promote improvements in human rights where we can and have supported the work of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, NGOs concerned with fair trials and the training of journalists.

Internet Censorship Abroad

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on internet censorship abroad; and what discussions he has had with his counterparts at the United Nations on the subject.

Ian Pearson: We have received a number of representations from civil society organisations on restrictions on freedom of expression on the Internet in a number of countries, for example in the lead-up to the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunisia in November 2005. The Government has also recently expressed disappointment at the hard line the Chinese Government takes on limiting freedom of expression and information. We believe both are essential to the development of a modern, stable and sustainable society.
	The WSIS general preamble (The Tunis Commitment), to which all UN member States signed up, is a reaffirmation of human rights and freedom of expression. This explicitly recognises that freedom of expression and the free flow of information, ideas, and knowledge, are essential for the Information Society. Member States also agreed the more detailed Tunis Agenda, which reaffirms the freedom to seek, receive, impart and use information and the need to respect freedom of expression when taking measures to ensure Internet security.

Mrs ZN (Immigration)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether HM High Commission Islamabad has sent to the Home Office the appeal papers for the immigration case of Mrs ZN of Aylesbury (reference ISB/879875); and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer 6 February 2006
	I regret that I cannot provide this information, as it is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, will write to the hon. Member.

Pakistan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Pakistan regarding the attacks on Christians and Christian institutions in response to the Danish cartoons in Peshawar, Kasur (Lahore) and a number of other communities; and if he will raise the matter with Shaukat Aziz when he visits the UK.

Kim Howells: We are aware of the attacks against Christians in Sialkot and Sukkur in February, but not of those in Peshawar, Kasur (Lahore) or elsewhere. We are shocked that any such incidents took place, so soon after the Sangla Hills violence in November 2005. My hon. Friend is well aware that these events are very often triggered to settle personal disputes. However it is also possible that these attacks were influenced by heightened tensions relating to the publication of cartoons offensive to Muslims in Danish and other newspapers. We were disturbed by the serious incidents relating to this which occurred in Peshawar, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities across Pakistan. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary intends to take the opportunity to raise human rights in Pakistan during his meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on 7 March.

Russia

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of the Russian Federation about (a) constraints on press freedom, (b) restrictions on the activities of non-governmental organisations and (c) disappearances and other human rights abuses in Chechnya and the North Caucasus.

Douglas Alexander: All of these issues were discussed at length during the last round of the UK/Russia human rights consultations held on 8 September 2005 under UK chairmanship. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and President Putin noted the results of those consultations during the EU Russia summit on 4 October 2005. They had a frank discussion with President Putin on human rights and democracy issues, including the situation in Chechnya. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns on the situation faced by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during discussions with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in January 2006. And during my visit to Russia, as Minister for Europe, between 27 February and 1 March 2006, I made our concerns on NGOs and on press freedoms a matter of the public record.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on prosecution of suspected Rwandan genocidaires.

Ian Pearson: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have held regular meetings with Home Office counterparts and the Metropolitan Police to discuss issues relating to the prosecution of alleged Rwandan war criminals. The most recent meeting took place on 20 February 2006.
	Decisions on whether an individual has a case to answer to under UK criminal law are a matter for the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Norway on its decision to prosecute a suspected Rwandan genocidaire; and what assessment he has made of the merits of pursuing similar prosecutions in the UK.

Ian Pearson: None. This is a matter for the Government of Norway and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
	The Government continues to support international efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, decisions on whether an individual has a case to answer under UK criminal law are a matter for the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Rwanda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of the prosecution of Rwandan genocidaires outside Rwanda.

Ian Pearson: The Government are a strong supporter of the work of the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda, which is playing an important role in bringing to justice individuals responsible for the most serious crimes perpetrated in Rwanda in 1994. Any prosecution beyond the scope of the ICTR would be a question for the relevant national prosecuting authority.
	We continue to support international efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Rwanda

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many named Rwandan genocide suspects reside in the UK.

Ian Pearson: It would be inappropriate to discuss the numbers, or details, of named alleged Rwandan genocide suspects resident in the UK. Doing so could jeopardise any possible criminal or immigration action that the UK authorities decided to pursue.
	The UK has procedures in place to ensure that any individual indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and resident in the UK would be handed over to face international justice.

Rwanda

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are plans to (a) extradite and (b) bring proceedings in the UK against those alleged to be involved with the Rwandan genocide.

Ian Pearson: It is established Government policy to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an extradition request.
	Decisions on whether or not an individual has a case to answer to under UK criminal law are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Shearia, southern Darfur, with particular reference to Amar Jadeed village.

Ian Pearson: We have received reports that Shearia and its surrounding villages, along with other areas in North and South Sudan, have in the last two weeks been subjected to fighting between forces of the Government of Sudan and elements of the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M). The African Union Mission in Sudan is investigating the series of incidents which, if reports are verified, would constitute violations of the Abuja Security and Humanitarian Protocols.
	On 19 August 2005, Amar Jadeed village, in Shearia province in South Darfur, was attacked by armed militia. Reports indicate that during the attack, three villagers were killed and a number of others wounded. It was reported that the militias also looted over 600 camels. We have had no specific reports of Amar Jadeed being targeted during the recent fighting.
	During their recent visits to the peace talks in Abuja and Sudan, including Darfur, both my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for International Development made clear to the Government of Sudan and the SLA/M that they must take urgent steps to improve security in Darfur, particularly by implementing the ceasefire in Darfur fully.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on whether the Government of Sudan has (a) resumed the use of helicopter gunships in Darfur and (b) made incursions into Chad.

Ian Pearson: The Government of Sudan (GoS) continues to fly helicopter gunships in Darfur, but it is unclear whether they have been active in attacks. The African Union is currently investigating and we await their reports. Offensive military flights by the GoS would constitute a breach of its obligations under the Abuja Security Protocol and, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1591, those responsible would be liable to targeted sanctions.
	We have received no reports of the Sudanese army making incursions into Chad, although we understand that rebel groups and militia from both Chad and Sudan regularly cross the border. Stability in both countries is vital for the region and we therefore welcome the peace agreement signed by the Presidents of both Sudan and Chad in Libya on 8 February. We hope the parties will work hard to honour it.
	During his visit to Sudan, including Darfur, on 2123 February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) raised these issues with the Government of Sudan and made clear that they must take urgent steps to improve the security situation in Darfur. In their meeting with the Sudanese Foreign Minister on 3 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, and my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, also made clear that the Government of Sudan must abide by their obligations under the UN security Council Resolutions and pressed on the need to reduce tensions with Chad.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to try to mediate between the different factions in the Sudan Liberation Army in Darfur.

Ian Pearson: We continue to be concerned by the leadership split between two factions of the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A). When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary addressed the Darfur peace talks in Abuja on 14 February 2006, he pressed the parties to increase their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement. He called upon all the leaders of the rebel movements to attend the talks to demonstrate their commitment to a negotiated settlement. Minni Minnawi, the leader of one faction of the SLM/A, returned to Abuja on 20 February, his first visit to the talks since December. Our representative at the Abuja talks regularly presses the SLM/A and the Justice and Equality Movement to continue to maintain a joint negotiating position in the talks in Abuja, and to work together to achieve a peaceful solution for the people of Darfur. The UK has now appointed a Special Representative to the Abuja talks, Dr. Roderick Pullen, who will continue to press all the parties at the talks.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to (a) the Government of Sudan and (b) the African Union to try to speed up disarmament of Janjaweed militias.

Ian Pearson: We have made clear to all parties in Darfur that they must abide by the terms of the ceasefire, control their forces, and work towards a political solution. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development reaffirmed this during his recent visit to Khartoum, as did my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, during talks with the Sudanese Foreign Minister in London last month. We remain in close touch with the African Union (AU) on this issue, and continue to support the AU-led talks in Abuja on security, wealth sharing and power sharing in Darfur.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he plans to take to pursue those Sudanese officials who have been named in the confidential annex of the report of the panel of experts on Darfur as being involved in gross human rights abuses.

Ian Pearson: The panel of experts, appointed by the UN Sudan Sanctions Committee, presented its report to the Committee on 23 December 2005. The Government are pressing for swift action by the Committee on the panel's recommendations, including the listing of individuals for targeted sanctions. We will not comment on individual names, but we are clear that there can be no impunity for those who violate human rights or impede the peace process in Sudan. We will strongly support the imposition of sanctions against individuals who do so, where there is clear and compelling evidence against them.

Turkey

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government on (a) its application to join the EU and (b) Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: During his visit to the region in January, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held meetings with the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul. With both he discussed Turkey's application to join the EU and the prospects for a settlement in Cyprus. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed the UK's commitment to Turkey's accession process, and urged Turkey to keep up its reform efforts to align itself with the EU acquis. On Cyprus, he stressed his desire for all parties to make progress towards a comprehensive settlement under UN auspices and a normalisation of relations in the region.

Turkey

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has had made to Turkey on the (a) amount and (b) type of equipment of the Turkish Army in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary recently visited Cyprus, Turkey and Greece to examine the prospects for making progress towards a settlement of the Cyprus problem. He stressed to all parties that the current situation is bad for Cyprus, bad for the region and bad for the EU, and encouraged them to take the necessary steps towards a resumption of settlement negotiations, including, where appropriate, lowering troop levels. The type of equipment used by Turkish forces on Cyprus was not discussed.

Turkey

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on Turkey's proposed accession to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander: Under the Austrian Presidency, the European Commission is taking forward the negotiations following the framework agreed on 3 October 2005. It is currently screening Turkey's legislation against the EU acquis and has completed screening on 9 Chapters. The Commission presented its first screening reports, on Science and Research and Education and Culture, to Member States in February, concluding that Turkey is ready to open negotiations in both chapters. Following the presentation of the Commission's screening reports it is for Member States to consider whether to set benchmarks for Turkey to fulfil before the opening of chapters, and then decide whether any chapters are ready to be opened. The relevant Council Working Group has recently recommended the opening of the Science and Research Chapter and we expect this to happen during the Austrian Presidency.

Uganda

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the international community to ensure that violence does not occur in Uganda following the presidential election.

Ian Pearson: Primary responsibility for ensuring that violence does not occur rests with the Ugandan Government, opposition, and population. The elections and their aftermath have been generally peaceful. An EU Observer Mission is still present in Uganda to monitor all remaining aspects of the electoral process. We have called on all involved, in particular the candidates, their parties and supporters, to demonstrate a responsible attitude and to abide by constitutional procedures.

Uganda

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the fairness of the recent elections in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: On 24 February, the EU's Election Observation Mission issued a statement of preliminary conclusions, which noted that the elections had so far been generally well administered, transparent, competitive and relatively peaceful, demonstrating some significant improvements in comparison to previous elections.
	On 27 February we, along with our EU partners, issued a statement. It noted that voting passed generally peacefully and with significant voter turnout and congratulated the people of Uganda for demonstrating a clear commitment to democracy in the first multi-party elections in 25 years. However, there were shortcomings, primarily the lack of a level playing field for all parties in the run-up to the elections.

UN Human Rights Council

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to support the establishment of a new United Nations Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government have been and remain actively involved in negotiations on the establishment of a UN Human Rights Council. This has included co-ordination of EU negotiating positions during our presidency of the EU in 2005, working closely with partners in New York, Geneva and Brussels. We have engaged consistently and constructively with the process, lobbied widely and provided our full support to the efforts of the President of the General Assembly (PGA) and his two co-chairs. We will continue to work hard with partners, and closely in support of PGA Eliasson, as we try to progress this important piece of the UN reform agenda.

UN Peacekeepers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department plans to take to assist the United Nations in ensuring that individual peacekeepers face proper judicial process when accused of criminal acts.

Ian Pearson: We are deeply concerned by any allegations of criminal acts and misconduct by UN peacekeeping personnel. We strongly support the actions of the UN Secretary- General to implement a 'zero-tolerance' approach in all United Nations Missions.
	We welcomed last March the comprehensive report on sexual exploitation and abuse prepared by the Secretary-General's Adviser on this issue, His Royal Highness Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein. We were active in ensuring that the UN General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping adopted the report's recommendations.
	The UN is now focusing on five key areas to ensure that peacekeepers who commit crimes are bought to justice:
	a model Memorandum of Understanding between the UN and countries whose troops are participating in peacekeeping operations, ensuring that those countries are fully aware of and can be held to account for their responsibilities in this area;
	establishment of full-time Conduct and Discipline Teams in all UN missions, as well as at the UN Headquarters in New York, dedicated to addressing cases of misconduct, providing advice to missions, ensuring coherent application of UN procedures and providing guidance and advice for peacekeeping personnel;
	ensuring that managers and commanders are made responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that prevents misconduct, are clearly directed to facilitate investigations and are held accountable for their failures in this regard;
	work through a Group of Legal Experts nominated by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to ensure that individuals are held accountable for criminal offences they have committed, and that there is no impunity for any category of staff, whether civilian or military;
	a framework for collaboration in investigations between the UN's Office of Internal Oversight and national authorities, to ensure that any evidence collected is admissible in the relevant national jurisdiction of the country of the offender.
	The UK is working closely with the EU and other partners to ensure that work is concluded successfully in all these areas.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

1911 Census

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 111W, on the 1911 Census, what the date was (a) of the 171 requests for access to information contained in the 1911 Census returns, (b) of the response to each request, (c) of the 14 appeals from enquirers and (d) on which each appeal was responded to; and what reasons were given for each refusal.

Bridget Prentice: The information is as follows:
	(a) The National Archives received 171 requests for access to information contained in the 1911 census returns between 2 February 2005 and 29 January 2006.
	(b) The response to each of these requests, which were considered in consultation with the Office for National Statistics, was that access could be not granted because the information was covered by S.41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
	(c) The National Archives reviewed the 14 appeals against this decision between 8 February 2005 and 18 January 2006. These were responded to between 4 March 2005 and 28 February 2006.
	(d) After review, it was determined that the original decisions to deny access under S.41 of the Act should stand, in the context of government policy that the decennial census returns should be opened after 100 years.

DEFENCE

Active Service (Military Police Investigations)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his policy that every shooting incident involving UK military personnel on active service must be investigated by the military police.

Adam Ingram: Ministry of Defence policy is that every shooting incident involving United Kingdom military personnel in Iraq should be subject to a Shooting Incident Review carried out by the Commanding Officer. If evidence emerges that there are any grounds to suspect that a criminal act has occurred or that Rules of Engagement might have been breached the incident would be referred to the Service Police immediately for an investigation.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 27 February 2006, to Question 53831, whether his definition of the term support includes (a) intelligence gathering and sharing for specific operations, (b) provision of lift capability for Afghan forces and (c) protective cordons for Afghan forces.

John Reid: holding answer 2 March 2006
	As I have made clear on a number of occasions, counter-narcotics operations are the responsibility of the government of Afghanistan. The support that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) may provide is set in this context and will be determined by the requirements of any particular operation at the time.

Aircraft Carriers

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, following his meeting with the French Defence Minister, consideration is being given to the possible purchase of the Rafale Aircraft as an option to equip the proposed new aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2006, Official Report, column 1251W, to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack).

Armed Forces Pay Review Body

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the papers submitted to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body in preparation for its 35th report.

John Reid: The following papers of evidence were submitted by the Ministry of Defence to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body to help inform their 2006 recommendations, which were accepted in full by the Government on 16 February:
	Manning, Recruitment and Retention
	Hours of Work Survey
	Leave Survey
	Strategic Management
	Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Issues
	Accommodation
	Pensions Update
	Pay As You Dine Update
	Ship's Divers
	Special Communications Pay
	Specialist Pay and Reserve Bounties Proposals
	Unpleasant Living Allowance
	Service Nurses
	Professions Allied to Medicine
	Military Provost Guard Service
	Special Forces Pay
	Manning Update

Arms Manufacturers (Promotions)

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps he has undertaken to promote UK arms manufacturers.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Industrial Strategy underlined the benefits to defence from responsible defence exports. Ministers therefore regularly support export promotion activities. For example, at the Defence Systems and Equipment International exhibition, held in London last autumn, Defence Ministers attended a number of events and supported UK companies. My noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement, who has responsibility for defence exports, has in recent months supported UK exporters at defence exhibitions in Turkey and India.

Caribbean (Anti-drugs Patrols)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2006 to Question 54015, on anti-drugs patrolling of the Caribbean, what assessment he has made of the impact of providing a frigate or destroyer for this role for only four months in 2006; and for what reason the decision to reduce the length of this deployment was taken.

Adam Ingram: Counter-drugs activities form part of the Royal Navy's deployments to the Caribbean and provide a visible presence as one element of the UK's broader counter-drugs engagement in the region. These activities are co-ordinated by HM Revenue and Customs, and involve agencies from a number of our international partners.
	As well as counter-drugs tasks, the primary purposes of the Caribbean deployment (Atlantic Patrol Task (North)) are to promote UK interests and provide security to UK Overseas Territories, including support to humanitarian operations and disaster relief. Traditionally, this support has been needed most during the hurricane season.
	The decision to reduce the length of the deployment in 2006 was taken following a review of the Royal Navy's standing tasks and commitments. This was explained in the Government's response to the House of Commons Defence Committee's Fourth Report of Session 200405 on the 'Future Capabilities' Command Paper. The shorter assignment period will apply for 2006 only, after which it is planned to resume year-round assignment of a frigate/destroyer to the region.

Chemical Defence Establishment

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  on whose authority the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down collaborated with (a) Walter Basson and (b) Roodeplaat Research Laboratory on chemical biological weapon research during the period of the apartheid government in South Africa; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what (a) collaboration and (b) contact took place between scientists and officials employed by or at (i) the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down and (ii) other institutions funded by Her Majesty's Government and Walter Basson of South Africa; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what (a) collaboration and (b) contact took place between scientists and officials employed by or at (i) the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down and (ii) other institutions funded by the Government, with the Roodeplaat Research Laboratory of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There is no record of collaboration between the Ministry of Defence officials and either Wouter Basson or the Roodeplaat Research Laboratory, nor is there any record of contact between Ministry of Defence officials and the Roodeplaat Research Laboratory.
	In March 1995, there was a visit to the new South African Government of National Unity. The cross-government visit included a scientist form the Chemical Biological Defence Establishment, and provided advice to South Africa on her international treaty obligations under the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Two official meetings involved the South African Surgeon General; as a member of his staff, Wouter Basson was present.
	I am not in a position to comment of the activities of Her Majesty Government funded institutions outside the Ministry of Defence.

Chemical Defence Establishment

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2347W, on Porton Down, if on visits in January and March 1992 Ministry of Defence employees (a) visited Roodeplaat Research Laboratory and (b) met its officials.

Adam Ingram: During their passage through South Africa in January and March 1992 the Ministry of Defence employees, from what was then the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down, did not visit the Roodeplaat Research Laboratory and were not knowingly introduced to its officials.

Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter to the Prime Minister dated 5 December 2005 from Colour Sergeant Nicholas Cowan, which has been passed to him for reply.

Don Touhig: Neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Prime Minister's office is aware of any such letter. However, both No 10 and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister responded to earlier correspondence from Colour Sergeant Nicholas Cowan on 5 December 2005. He has since written again, and officials are co-ordinating a further response.

Dartmouth Naval College

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the (a) short-term and (b) long-term future of the Dartmouth Naval College; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Our short and longer term planning assumption is that Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth will continue to be a major centre of training excellence and activity for the Royal Navy. Such assumptions are, however, constantly reviewed in the normal cycle of Defence Planning, but any significant proposed change which emerged from that process would be subject to consultation with interested parties under well-established procedures.

Defence Export Services Organisation

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many visits officials from the Defence Export Services Organisation have made to: (a) Pakistan, (b) India, (c) Indonesia, (d) Saudi Arabia and (e) Iraq since 18 March 2003;
	(2)  how many visits officials from the Defence Export Services Organisation have made to (a) Nigeria, (b) Turkey and (c) Israel since 18 March 2003

Adam Ingram: The information requested is set out in the table:
	
		
			 Country Number of visits 
		
		
			 India 20 
			 Indonesia 1 
			 Israel 0 
			 Iraq 1 
			 Nigeria 1 
			 Saudi Arabia(47)  
			 Pakistan 9 
			 Turkey 8 
		
	
	(47) Very frequent visits are made by DESO officials to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, principally in support of the implementation of Government-to-Government contracts signed previously. The number of visits therefore could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Dwellings

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the long-term future of empty married couples' dwellings identified by his Department.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 101W, to my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram). Some 3,000 are held for future service deployments, 500 are held pending modernisation and approximately 800 are in the course of disposal. A further 1,400 will be required to re-house families to facilitate further disposals of surplus stock. The remaining housing stock is available for allocation or awaiting incoming families. New commitments arising from policy changes, such as Gurkha Married Accompanied Service, will also be met from existing surplus housing stock where available and will result in further reductions to the level of void properties.

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on media training in each year since 199798.

Don Touhig: Information that is readily available relates to training of military personnel of all three Services primarily to deal with the media while on operations. This training is now the responsibility of the Defence Media Operations Centre which opened a training school in April 2005. Costs to date on civilian training contractors is some 151,000.
	Prior to April 2005 media training was the responsibility of each Service; information on the amounts spent is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Vehicles

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what makes of cars ministers in his Department use; and whether they are UK-built.

Don Touhig: holding answer 13 February 2006
	The secretary of State's vehicle is provided by the Metropolitan Police.
	Details of the cars currently available for use by other defence Ministers are as follows.
	
		
			 Make/Model of vehicle Country of manufacture 
		
		
			 Ford Mondeo Belgium 
			 Rover 75 UK 
			 Honda Accord UK 
			 Nissan Primera UK 
			 Toyota Avensis UK 
			 Vauxhall Vectra Germany 
			 Vauxhall Signum Germany

Discharged Personnel (Social Housing)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service personnel required social housing on discharge in each of the last five years, broken down by service.

Don Touhig: The Joint Services Housing Advisory Office provides Service personnel with information and assistance on housing options, both during their service and on resettlement. However, personnel do not have to declare if they require social housing on discharge and therefore these figures are not available.

Discharged Personnel (Social Housing)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people left the armed forces in each of the last five years; and how many of those required social housing but had not received it at their time of discharge.

Don Touhig: The numbers of personnel leaving the Armed Forces in each of the last five years for the 12 month period ending 1 April is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of personnel leaving the armed forces 
		
		
			 2001 24,950 
			 2002 24,710 
			 2003 24,100 
			 2004 23,400 
			 2005 23,430 
		
	
	Source:
	UK Defence Statistics 2005.
	The Ministry of Defence does not require Service personnel to declare if they require social housing on discharge. Therefore, these figures are not available.

Discharged Personnel (Social Housing)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of (a) the need for and (b) the ability of service personnel (i) in each service and (ii) of each rank to afford (A) a mortgage and (B) privately-rented accommodation whilst serving in the armed forces.

Don Touhig: Accommodation is available to all Serving personnel as part of their terms and conditions of service. Charges below the market rate are made for this accommodation in consideration of the peripatetic nature of the armed forces. The need for a mortgage or private rent whilst serving is therefore reduced considerably.
	The ability to afford mortgage repayments or rental charges whilst Serving obviously depends on individual circumstances. Because of this, a detailed assessment of affordability by rank and Service cannot be made. However, we provide an excellent pay and pension package for Service personnel, together with extensive advice on housing options and an interest-free loan scheme.

Drug Taking

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been a change in the policy of dismissing service personnel for taking class A drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: There is no change in policy. Most Service personnel who take drugs illegallywhatever the class of drugswill be discharged. There is discretion to retain individuals exceptionally, however, and this may be made subject to satisfactory completion of a drugs intervention programme.

Infantry Deployments

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 19W, on infantry deployments, if he will list the (a) deployments and (b) length of time between deployments for each company in those battalions that have been deployed more than once in the past five years.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 March 2000
	This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Infantry Regiments

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Executive on the decision to amalgamate the Scottish regiments.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 3 March 2006
	Defence is a reserved issue for the UK Government. Nevertheless, we have kept the Scottish Executive informed of the decision to amalgamate the Scottish Regiments.

Iraq

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what evidence his Department has received on whether members of Al Qaeda were operating in Iraq prior to the start of military action in 2003;
	(2)  when he will answer Question 50827, on whether members of Al Qaeda were operating in Iraq prior to 2003, tabled by the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale on 7 February; and what the reasons are for the time taken to respond.

John Reid: The MOD does not comment on intelligence and security matters.

Iraq

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of the cost of (a) combat operations and (b) peacekeeping operations in Iraq in each year since the conflict began.

Adam Ingram: The annual audited figures for the costs of operations in Iraq are collected and audited on an annual basis. It is therefore not possible to separately identify the combat activities which commenced on 20 March 2003 and ceased on 1 May 2003 spanning two financial years 20022003 and 20032004.
	The costs of operations are calculated on a net additional basis and audited figures are published each year in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts. Costs of operations in Iraq for financial years 200203 to 200405 were:
	
		
			million 
		
		
			 200203 Operations in Iraq 629 
			  Expenditure on Capital Equipment 218 
			  Total 847 
			
			 200304 Operations in Iraq 1,051 
			  Expenditure on Capital Equipment 260 
			  Total 1,311 
			
			 200405 Operations in Iraq 747 
			  Expenditure on Capital Equipment 163 
			  Total 910 
			
			  Total 3,068 
		
	
	The estimated cost of 1,098 million for operations in Iraq for 200506 were included in the Spring Supplementary Estimates published in February. Final figures will be published in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts for 200506 following audit by the National Audit Office.

Leaf Class Tankers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the proposed out-of-service dates are for each of the four Leaf class tankers; and what major refits are planned before those dates.

Adam Ingram: On current plans the out of service date for RFA Brambleleaf and RFA Orangeleaf is 2009 with the remaining two tankers, RFA Oakleaf and RFA Bayleaf, leaving service in 2010. In order to keep RFA Bayleaf operational until she is withdrawn from service, minor refit work is due to be undertaken in 2008. No refit work is planned for the other three tankers.

Mental Health Services

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department provides for the treatment of (a) serving personnel and (b) veterans with mental health conditions, with particular reference to (i) post-traumatic stress disorder, (ii) alcohol and drug abuse, (iii) depression, (iv) anxiety and (v) stress.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1406W, to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Jeremy Wright).

Naval Tasks

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what naval tasks formerly carried out by Royal Navy destroyers and frigates will in future be undertaken by other classes of vessel; and if he will list the class of ship which will be deployed to fulfil each of those tasks.

Adam Ingram: Apportionment of Fleet vessels to standing tasks is decided on the basis of operational effects and capabilities required. Hence the most appropriate ships available are assigned to a given task. The Royal Navy is therefore ready, where appropriate, to deploy units other than destroyers or frigates to fulfil naval tasks traditionally fulfilled by them. An example of this is HMS current operational deployment East of Suez. On the same principle, it is perfectly possible that operations in the Caribbean will on occasion be undertaken by units other than frigates and destroyers.

Nuclear Deterrent

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about future funding for a possible new generation of the nuclear deterrent.

John Reid: No decisions have yet been taken on any replacement for Trident. Preparatory work is being undertaken by officials on possible options for the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent, including on the costs involved. Funding issues will be addressed, as required, in the normal way once we get closer to taking decisions.

Parliamentary Questions

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to give substantive answers to Questions (a) 48822, tabled for named day answer on 8 February 2006, and (b) 50184, tabled for named day answer on 13 February 2006, by the hon. Member for New Forest East.

Adam Ingram: Question 48822 requires input from various sources and the correlation of data that are not easily accessible. I expect to reply to the hon. Member as soon as officials have completed the necessary work.
	I replied to the hon. Member today in respect of question 50184.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's funding of remedial care for ex-Service personnel with post traumatic stress disorder and related conditions was at facilities provided by the charity Combat Stress in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Article 26 of the Naval, Military and Air Forces Etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983 provides that the Secretary of State for Defence may defray necessary expenses in respect of the medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of former member of the Armed Forces which arise from a disablement due to service, provided they are not provided for under other UK legislation. Under this discretionary power, MOD defrays the individual costs of war pensioners undergoing remedial treatment at the Combat Stress homes for conditions related to their individual pensioned disablement and of related expenses, such as travel costs. The table shows the funding received by Combat Stress under this provision.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200102 2.1 
			 200203 2.4 
			 200304 2.6 
			 200405 2.8 
		
	
	Source:
	Ex-Services mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress)

Propellants

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the cost of buying propellant from overseas for UK weapons and weapons systems has been in the last three years;
	(2)  which countries supply the UK armed forces with propellant for weapons and weapons systems.

Adam Ingram: Propellant is provided as an integral part of an ammunition or weapon system and costs are not separately itemised. The source of the propellant is a commercial decision for the manufacturing company.

QinetiQ

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies were considered for the contract to manage his Department's practice ranges before the award to QinetiQ in 2003; and for what reasons they were discounted.

Adam Ingram: Work to identify a long-term solution to the MOD's requirement for Test and Evaluation Services identified QinetiQ as the only potential bidder with the breadth and depth of experience to deliver the full capability. As such, single source selection process was used to enable the MOD to meet the necessary deadlines for putting arrangements in place.

Rafale Aircraft

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his French counterpart has offered the UK the opportunity of purchasing the marine version of Rafale aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 2 March 2006
	Contrary to recent reports in the press, the French Defence Minister did not offer the opportunity to purchase the marine version of the Rafale aircraft. We remain committed to progressing the development and acquisition of the Joint Strike Fighter to meet our Joint Combat Aircraft requirement.

Royal Regiment of Scotland

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps his Department has taken to promote the identity of each of the new battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland;
	(2)  whether he has made an estimate of the advertising expenditure his Department would require to achieve for the Royal Regiment of Scotland the same brand recognition as the Black Watch;
	(3)  what the advertising budget is to promote the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Don Touhig: No specific steps have been taken to promote the identity of the new battalions. However recruiting to the new Regiment, and its constituent battalions, is being addressed by Headquarters Recruiting Group, with new recruiting campaigns and a programme of updating recruiting literature and logos on recruiting assets.
	There has been no assessment made by the Army of the amount of advertising spend that would be required for the Royal Regiment of Scotland to achieve the same recognition as the Black Watch. The Black Watch's regimental identity has been built over 250 years, the new Royal Regiment of Scotland's identity will grow with time.
	Headquarters Recruiting Group spent 50,000 in November 2005 on press advertising to promote recruiting for the Royal Regiment of Scotland. A further 100,000 has been spent in-year updating recruiting literature, vehicles and display equipment with new titles and regimental badges.

Standing Naval Tasks

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 1 March 2006 to Question 54014, on standing naval tasks, what Royal Navy vessels (a) are allocated and (b) are scheduled to be allocated to NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy assigns one destroyer or frigate to one of the two Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Groups (SNMG1 and 2), formerly known as Standing Naval Force Atlantic and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean respectively. Since early August 2004, a destroyer or frigate has been permanently assigned to SNMG2 in the Mediterranean; the intention is to maintain this commitment. There are currently no plans to assign a Royal Navy vessel to SNMG1.

Thermobaric and Air/Fuel Weapons

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has (a) conducted and (b) commissioned on (i) thermobaric and (ii) air fuel weapons in the past five years.

Adam Ingram: The term thermobaric has no agreed definition and is not used by the Ministry of Defence. The Department conducts or commissions research aimed at developing a scientific and military understanding of all appropriate weapon technologies. The knowledge generated is employed to assess the threat to UK Forces posed by these technologies, to consider appropriate countermeasures and to assess their potential applicability for use in our own weapon systems.
	In the case of fuel air weapons MOD commissioned research tasks aimed at improving our scientific understanding and ability to model the critical parameters and effects of fuel air systems in order to undertake a more detailed analysis of the potential threat they represent. Research into Force Protection engineering measures conducted during the course of the last five years has taken fuel air weapons into account as one of the potential threats.

Warships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what revenue has been (a) received from and (b) agreed with buyers as a result of the sale or scrapping of each major Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel disposed of since 1997; and how long each had been in service.

Adam Ingram: Question 48822 requires input from various sources and the correlation of data that is not easily accessible. I expect to reply to the hon. Member as soon as officials have completed the necessary work.
	I replied to the hon. Member today in respect of question 50184.

HEALTH

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her reply of 8 February 2006, Official Report, column 1304W, on abortion, on what grounds each abortion was performed; and what the (a) age of the woman, (b) gestation of the pregnancy and (c) prison at which the abortion was performed was in each case.

Caroline Flint: The information for age and gestation is shown in the table. The majority of the abortions were performed under Section l(l) (a) 1 of the Abortion Act 1967 and under the act, treatment for termination of pregnancy can only be carried out in a national health service hospital or an approved independent sector place.
	For confidentiality reasons, we are unable to release any further data.
	1 that the pregnancy has not exceeded its 24th week and that the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk, greater than if the pregnancy were terminated, of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or any existing children of her family.
	
		Age and gestation period of women having terminations giving a prison postcode as their place of residence, England, 1995 to 2004
		
			  Number 
			 Age  
		
		
			 20 and under 12 
			 2123 12 
			 2425 10 
			 26 11 
			 2731 15 
			 32 and over 13 
			 Total 73 
			   
			 Gestation weeks  
			 Under 10 11 
			 10 to 12 31 
			 13 plus 31 
			 Total 73

Acute Accident and Emergency Cover

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what acute clinical services need to be available at an NHS hospital in order for it to qualify as offering acute accident and emergency cover; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what are the differences in medical cover offered by (a) a minor injuries unit and (b) an acute accident and emergency department; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: To qualify as a major (type one) accident and emergency (AE) department a service must be, among other requirements, consultant led, open 24 hours a day and have full resuscitation facilities. All major AE departments are on acute hospital sites. Services on the hospital site usually include critical care and diagnostic radiology comprising x-ray, ultrasound and computerised tomography scan.
	The key difference in medical cover offered by a major AE department, compared with a minor injuries unit (MIU), is that it is required to be consultant-led. MIUs can be general practitioner or nurse-led.

Alzheimer's Disease

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what treatments are available for moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's disease:
	(2)  what treatments are available for (a) Alzheimer's disease patients scoring lower than 10 in the mini-mental state examination and (b) behavioural disturbances arising in Alzheimer's disease patients.

Liam Byrne: The drug Ebixa (memantine) is licensed for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease.
	All four of the licensed drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are used to help treat behavioural disturbances. In addition, a range of social and psychological interventions may be used. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are currently working on a guideline on health and social care interventions in dementia which is due to be published in draft form in April 2006. Many of the interventions are likely to be useful for behavioural disturbances.

Antiretroviral Drugs

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pregnant women have been prescribed with anti-retroviral drugs since 1997 in each health authority in England; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: This information is not collected centrally. Our policy of offering and recommending an HIV test to every pregnant woman as part of their antenatal care, along with associated measures, including use of anti-retroviral drugs, has resulted in a significant reduction of mother-to-baby transmission of HIV infection. In 2004, approximately 92 per cent. of HIV infected pregnant women were diagnosed before delivery. Detection of maternal HIV infections is estimated to have prevented the transmission of HIV to around 190 babies in the United Kingdom in 2004.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent steps her Department has taken to increase awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
	(2)  what treatments are available for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on the NHS;
	(3)  how many patients were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: Information on the numbers of people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not collected centrally.
	The assessment and treatment of ADHD is usually undertaken by child psychiatrists. However, it is increasingly common for paediatricians to diagnose and manage ADHD in children.
	A treatment programme should not rely on medication alone and psychological interventions which focus on the behaviour of the child, family interactions, classroom problems and learning difficulties should be offered. A comprehensive assessment involving more than one professional perspective will highlight the various problems that need to be addressed.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) appraisal on the use of methylphenidate, commonly known as Ritalin, recommended that methylphenidate should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for children with diagnosis of severe ADHD, Methylphenidate is not the only medication option with atomoxetine and dexamfetamine also available. NICE will be issuing guidance on the use of all three shortly. NICE will also be commencing work later this year on a guideline on the management and identification of ADHD in children, young people and adults.
	As part of the children's national service framework, we are publishing a series of exemplar patient journeys. This series will be an exemplar on ADHD. We anticipate this being published later this year.

Care Homes

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps the Commission for Social Care Inspection takes to ensure that the national minimum standards of nutrition for older people in care homes are properly implemented;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to ensure that staff providing meals for older people living in care homes have received sufficient catering training;
	(3)  how many care homes in (a) Leeds North West and (b) the Leeds metropolitan area have been deemed as failing to meet standard 15 of the national minimum standards in each year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answers 9 February and 13 February 2006
	Nutritional needs are an important area of care provision. They are embedded in Care Homes for Older PeopleNational Minimum Standards and Care Homes for AdultsNational Minimum Standards. Copies are available in the Library. Food and nutrition is extensively covered in the national minimum standards (NMS), which the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) inspects care homes against The NMS address food and nutrition from various perspectives, including nutritional content, religious or cultural requirements, preparation and hygiene, training of catering staff and the social value of meals and mealtimes.
	CSCI inspects against standard 30 of the NMS, which relates to staff training, to ensure that staff providing meals for older people living in care homes have sufficient catering training. Standard 30 states that the registered manager of a care home needs to ensure that there is a staff training and development programme which meets national training organisation (NTO) workforce training targets and ensures staff fulfil the aims of the home and meet the changing needs of service users.
	Information about the number of care homes in Leeds North West and the Leeds metropolitan area which have been deemed as failing standard 15 of the NMS is not collected in the format requested.
	Figures on the performance against standard 15 of Care Homes for Older PeopleNational Minimum Standards and standard 17 of Care Homes for AdultsNational Minimum Standards in Leeds local authority for 200203, 200304 and 200405 is shown in the tables.
	
		Standard 15: Meals and Mealtimescare homes for older people
		
			  1 April to 31 March 
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 1not met 1 1 3 
			 2almost met 19 13 10 
			 3met 76 92 92 
			 4exceeded 9 10 13 
			 Grand total 105 116 118 
		
	
	
		Standard 17: Meals and Mealtimescare homes for younger adults(48)
		
			  1 April to 31 March 
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 1not met 0 0 0 
			 2almost met 5 3 3 
			 3met 30 35 52 
			 4exceeded 5 5 2 
			 Grand total 40 43 57 
		
	
	(48) Aged 1865

Cerebral Palsy

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in (a) the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authority area and (b) the Greater Peterborough Primary Care Partnership area have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic Health Authorityall diagnoses count of patients for cerebral palsy
		
			  Patient counts 
		
		
			 200001 254 
			 200102 276 
			 200203 311 
			 200304 350 
			 200405 317 
		
	
	
		North Peterborough Primary Care Trust (PCT) and South Peterborough PCT
		
			  Patient counts 
		
		
			 200001 37 
			 200102 41 
			 200203 36 
			 200304 59 
			 200405 51 
		
	
	Notes:
	General
	All diagnoses of patients for cerebral palsy (ICD-10 G80 infantile cerebral palsy).
	Age of start of episodes = under 17.
	Patient counts
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier Hospital Episodes Statistics identification HESID. This identifier is derived based on the patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and national health service number using an agreed algorithm. Where data are incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	All diagnoses count of patients
	These figures represent a count of all patients where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a HES record.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Secondary diagnoses
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnoses relevant to the episode of care.
	PCT, SHA data quality
	PCT and SHA data were added to historic data years in the HES database using 200203 boundaries, as a one off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on the PCT of treatment and SHA of treatment is poor in 199697, 199798 and 199899, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of general practitioner (GP) practice and SHA of GP practice in 199787 and 199899 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.
	Ungrossed Data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls, that is the data are ungrossed.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Chronic Fatigue Services

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  under what conditions funding will be added to the baseline for primary care trust budgets in 200607 for the newly established NHS chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis services;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the progress of establishment of NHS services for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis;
	(3)  what criteria were used in assessing applications from primary care trusts (PCTs) for funding in 200506 to establish new NHS chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis services; and if she will list the PCTs which have established such services;
	(4)  how many chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients have been seen to date by the NHS chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis services;
	(5)  if she will take steps to ensure that further NHS chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis services are established in 200607.

Liam Byrne: Since the announcement of the 8.5 million budget for developing new services for those with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), we have established 13 clinical network co-ordinating centres, 36 local multi-disciplinary teams, as well as 11 specialist children and young people's teams distributed across England. These new centres have been created to provide services for those with CFS/ME where there was no existing provision, each centre covers up to eight primary care trusts.
	The latest figures show that 8,646 adults and 439 children and young adults have been seen. The new centres are expected to see 21,000 patients annually when working at full capacity.
	Applications for funding to establish CFS/ME services were assessed by an investment steering group consisting of health professionals, as well as patient and carer representatives. The criteria used by the steering group included strategy and partnership working, the proposed service organisation and staffing structure, as well as the need to ensure an even geographic distribution of centres.
	Future funding of CFS/ME services will be included within the resource allocations to primary care trusts to facilitate the continuation of the service once the ring-fenced period ends. CFS/ME services will therefore be considered as part of the future local planning of services.
	National Health Service organisations are expected to demonstrate that they are making progress towards achieving the level of service quality described in the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions. The NSF sets out a clear vision of how health and social care organisations can improve the quality, consistency and responsiveness of their services and help improve the lives of people with neurological conditions, including CFS/ME. This may include taking steps to ensure the establishment of further CFS/ME centres, if there is a local need.

Colon Cancer

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 February 2006, Official Report, column 2110W, on colon cancer, how many people were diagnosed with bowel cancer between the age of (a) 40 and 49 years, (b) 50 and 58 years and (c) 58 and 69 years in each of the last five years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 6 March 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many people were diagnosed with bowel cancer between the age of (a) 40 and 49 years, (b) 50 and 58 years and (c) 58 and 69 years in each of the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (56211)
	The most recent available information on registration of newly diagnosed cases (incidence) are for the year 2003. Numbers of newly diagnosed cases registered in England by selected, non-overlapping age groups, are give in the table below.
	
		Newly diagnosed cases of colerectal(49) (bowel) cancer registered in England, by selected age groups, 1999 to 2003
		
			 Number 
			 Age groups 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 4049 1,089 1,010 1,030 1,056 1,029 
			 5057 2,574 2,542 2,545 2,438 2,371 
			 5869 7,674 7,753 7,378 7,391 7,449 
			 All ages 4069 11,337 11,305 10,953 10,885 10,849 
		
	
	(49) International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C18-C21.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics.

Co-payment (NHS Services)

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations she has received on the introduction of co-payment in the NHS, with particular reference to maternity services;
	(2)  what guidance she has issued to NHS organisations on the introduction of co-payments in the provision of NHS services;
	(3)  under what legislation co-payments for NHS maternity services would be introduced.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 7 February 2006
	The Department has received three recent representations concerning the introduction of co-payment into maternity services in the National Health Service. To review all recent correspondence received by the Department could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Under S1(2) of the NHS Act 1977 health services provided under the Act shall be free of charge except in so far as the making and recovery of charges is expressly provided for by or under any enactment, whenever passed. Certain NHS bodies also have income generation powers contained in S7 of the Health and Medicines Act 1988, but such powers may only be used insofar as they do not significantly interfere with the performance of any duty under the 1977 Act or significantly disadvantage NHS patients.
	The Department has provided guidance to the NHS where statutory provision has been made for charging for specific services, or for income generation. This guidance is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk.
	There are no plans to introduce legislation to permit charging for any clinically necessary NHS maternity services.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 9 November 2005 on the Whittington Hospital.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 1 March 2006
	A response was sent to the hon. Member on Tuesday 28 February.

Debt

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much interest the NHS paid on pre-existing debts in the latest year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what (a) targets she has set and (b) guidance her Department has given to primary care trusts on repayment of pre-existing debt.

Jane Kennedy: Interest paid on pre-existing debts cannot be separately identified from interest paid on debts incurred in the year, therefore, the information requested is not collected centrally.
	All National Health Service trusts and primary care trusts should breakeven every year. NHS trusts have a financial breakeven duty to balance their income and expenditure over a three or, in exceptional circumstances, five-year period. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) have the discretion to agree a recovery plan that will return them to balance over this period. However, as SHAs have the responsibility for ensuring the NHS organisations across their areas are in financial balance every year, if they agree to one organisation overspending, they require another NHS organisation within the health economy to underspend over the same period. Any such arrangements would have to be subject to the agreement of local providers.

Dentistry

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children are registered as NHS patients in dental practices where adults have to pay for treatment.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 9 February 2006
	The information requested is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 970W, on dentistry, what assessment she has made of whether the reasons for children not being registered with an NHS dentist include lack of availability of NHS dentists in their area.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 13 February 2006
	There are a number of factors that affect levels of children's registrations. The published registration figures reflect those children who attend a national health service dentist at least once within the most recent 15-month period and therefore exclude some children who attend less regularly than every 15 months. The level of registrations will also be affected by parents' perception of whether their children need to have dental treatment, by the availability of NHS dentistry in some areas and by the decision of some parents to choose private treatment for their children. The registration rate for children has been broadly stable since 1998.
	The dental reforms being implemented from this April are designed to promote new ways of working that typically enable dentists to see a wide range of patients and improve access.

Dentistry

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 15 February 2006, Official Report, column 2303W, on dentistry, whether these arrangements will continue under the new contract where a practice is currently treating children under the NHS and their parents privately.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 1 March 2006
	After 1 April 2006, dentists can continue to have children-only lists by agreement with their primary care trust.

Dentistry

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what out-of-hours dental cover her Department envisages for dental patients after 1 April 2006, in addition to reference to dental access centres.

Rosie Winterton: From 1 April 2006, primary care trusts (PCTs) will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate out-of-hours arrangements are provided in their area to meet local needs.
	A factsheet providing guidance to PCTs on how to commission out-of-hours services was issued by the Department in December 2005 and is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/56/62/04125662,pdf.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which categories of dentists were involved in her calculation of the average income of dentists under the new dental contract; and how many such dentists were included in her calculation.

Rosie Winterton: The historical estimates of average earnings and expenses for dentists are calculated by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, based on data on gross fees and payments from the Dental Practice Board (DPB) and data from HM Revenue and Customs on expenses.
	DPB payment data show that, on average, a dentist with a reasonable National Health Service commitment in 200405 in the general dental services (CDS) received gross CDS income of about 154,350. At 200506 remuneration levels, this would be a gross CDS income of around 159,600. Dentists with a reasonable commitment are defined as those with gross fee earnings of 59,100 or more. These averages covered some 7,640 CDS principal dentists who worked throughout the year 200405.
	HM Revenue and Customs information from dentists1 tax returns show that the average ratio of expenses to gross earnings for a highly committed NHS dentist is around 52 per cent. (200304 tax year). The same source gives average net income of a highly committed NHS dentist from all sources as 78,600 in the tax year 200304, which would equate to an average of about 83,500 in 200506. This information is taken from the tax returns of 392 GDS principal dentists who were in non-associate business arrangements for whom the tax year ended between January and March 2004. Based on the data available from these sources, the Department estimates that a highly committed NHS dentist has an average income of around 80,000 in 200506.

Departmental Assets

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the items of departmental property worth over 100 that have been reported as (a) lost and (b) broken in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not differentiate between stolen, missing or lost equipment. Departmental property losses or broken reported for the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005, with a value of over 100 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Value () 
		
		
			 Reported Lost or stolen  
			 Toshiba Portage laptop 1,444.36 
			 Toshiba Tecra laptop 1,217.42 
			 Compaq/Ipaq pocket PC 440.62 
			 Toshiba Portage laptop 1,444.36 
			 Toshiba Notebook laptop 1,444.36 
			 Toshiba laptop and mobile phone charger 1,313.90 
			 Toshiba laptop 1,302.95 
			 Nokia mobile phone 122.21 
			 Nokia mobile phone 119.28 
			 Toshiba Portege laptop 1,501.97 
			 HP Ipaq 443.70 
			 HP DeskJet printer 183.00 
			 Toshiba tecra laptop and Nokia mobile phone 1,454.14 
			 Compaq/HP PDA 521.35 
			 NEC Projector 1,230.33 
			 Nokia mobile phone 119.28 
			 Toshiba portege laptop 1,343.84 
			 Toshiba tecra laptop 1,127.62 
			 Toshiba lifebook laptop 1,127.62 
			 Toshiba laptop, 3 Compaq laptops , HP PDA and 3 handsets 5,068.62 
			 Fujitsu Lifebook laptop 1,379.81 
			 Toshiba tecra laptop 1,157.90 
			 Toshiba portege laptop 1,121.07 
			 Toshiba portege laptop 1,119.68 
			 Fujitsu Lifebook laptop 1,119.68 
			 Toshiba tecra 1,067.39 
			 Total 29,936.46 
			   
			 Broken  
			 Bookstand 136 
			 Desk 115 
			 Desk 115 
			 2 filing cabinets 273 
			 1 table and pedestal 305 
			 Table 115 
			 Cabinet 136 
			 4hd drawer 136 
			 Cabinet 136 
			 Total 1,467

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to provide further funding for the MDEX consortium gene therapy clinical trials to develop a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Jane Kennedy: In 2004, the Department awarded 1.6 million to the muscular dystrophy campaign, headed by Professor Francesco Muntoni at Imperial College London for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). If successful, this research should lead to the first United Kingdom gene therapy clinical trial aimed at treating DMD. The Government will carefully monitor developments in this area in considering future funding needs.

Government Powers of Direction

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers she has to direct (a) ambulance trusts, (b) primary care trusts, (c) acute hospital trusts and (d) strategic health authorities; and on what occasions these powers have been used in each case.

Jane Kennedy: Under section 17 of the National Health Service Act 1977, the Secretary of State may direct NHS trusts including ambulance trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities about the exercise of any of their functions.
	A list of directions issued is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Legislation/DirectionsFromSecretaryState/fs/en.

Health Expenditure

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the percentage of an average lifetime's health expenditure which is incurred in the last year of life.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 February 2006
	In his final report on Securing our Future Health: Taking a Long-Term View published April 2002, Sir Derek Wanless said that
	on average, around a quarter of all the healthcare someone consumes in their lifetime is consumed in the last year of their life.

Health-specific Inflation

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health-specific inflation has been in each year since 199798; and what the components are of health-specific inflation indices for revenue spending on (a) hospital and community health services and (b) family health services in each year.

Liam Byrne: The hospital and community health services (HCHS) pay and price inflation is a weighted average of two separate inflation indices, the pay cost index and the health service cost index which gives the measure of price inflation.
	The HCHS pay and price inflation index is available on the Department's website at: www.info.doh.gov.uk/doh/finman.nsf/newsletters (see financial matters-February 2006).
	The family health service (FHS) index is calculated from inflation figures associated with general medical services/personal medical services, general dental services/personal dental services, pharmaceutical services and general ophthalmic services.
	The FHS inflation index is available United Kingdom's Parliament website at: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhealth.htm (see report 1 December 2005)

Hospital Beds

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the effect on hospital trusts of beds being taken up by individuals not receiving any medical treatment and the consequent effect on patients waiting on trolleys who require medical treatment;
	(2)  what steps she (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to reduce the number of beds on wards being taken up by individuals who are not receiving medical treatment.

Liam Byrne: Delayed transfers of care have been a priority area for action since 2001 when the health and social care change agent team was created specifically to help local health and social care communities tackle the problem. Delays in the acute sector have fallen since then by over 65 per cent. by December 2005, releasing about 1.5 million bed days a year. Delayed transfers of care are an issue for the whole health and social care system and require concerted action from all parties acute sector, primary care trusts, local authorities and the voluntary and independent sectorto make sure people get the right care at the right time in the right place. They are expected to work together to agree how resources, such as the delayed discharges grant to local authorities, can be invested to develop services that enable people to be treated at home wherever possible or close to home in intermediate care or other rehabilitation services. The reimbursement scheme provides financial incentives to local authorities to complete their assessments quickly and enable people to move from acute hospital beds at the optimum time. The Government is currently considering an extension to reimbursement to non acute and mental health sectors.
	Delays in accident and emergency (AE) departments have been cut dramatically in recent years, including waits for admission. Alongside headline improvements in total time spent in AE for all patients, the percentage of patients waiting over four hours for admission following a decision to admit being made has fallen from 13 per cent. at the end of September 2001 to one per cent. as at the end of September 2005.

Hospital Management Frameworks

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  by what date NHS trusts will be asked to complete a third hospital management framework self-assessment;
	(2)  what discussions her Department has had with strategic health authorities about the hospital medicines management framework self-assessment responses.

Jane Kennedy: The need for a third medicines management framework will be reviewed in the light of the report of the Healthcare Commission on medicines management in national health service hospitals.
	Departmental officials meet regularly with strategic health authority (SHA) pharmaceutical leads to discuss a wide range of issues including medicines management.
	The Department has facilitated feedback from the self-assessments, which were returned to the SHAs, to the Healthcare Commission so that the learning can be incorporated into their audit of medicines management, the report from which is due to be published in summer 2006.

Mobile Telephones

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations she has received concerning the use of mobile telephones in NHS hospitals; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the merits of allowing NHS in-patients to use their mobile telephones;
	(3)  what the evidential basis is for NHS hospitals banning the use of mobile telephones on hospital premises;
	(4)  if she will take steps to ensure that NHS trusts enable patients to use mobile telephones without disruption to medical equipment;

Jane Kennedy: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) concluded an investigation on 17 January 2006 following complaints from consumers about the prices charged for calls to hospital patients.
	Ofcom wrote to the Secretary of State recommending that the Department should provide a clear message to National Health Service trusts that they are free to decide their own policy on mobile phone uses.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued guidance to hospital trusts that they should undertake a local risk assessment within their hospital to determine those areas where it is safe to permit mobile telephone usage and those areas where usage should be prohibited, due to the presence of electrically sensitive medical devices, for example. This risk assessment should cover not only the publics' use of mobile telephones and other radio equipment, but also the use of communication equipment by hospital staff and the emergency services.
	The use of mobile phones and other communication equipment in close proximity to certain electrically sensitive medical equipment is not advised, as the consequences of disrupting such equipment may cause direct harm to patients.
	It is the responsibility of individual trusts to assess the areas within hospitals where a total ban on the use of mobile telephones is appropriate on safety grounds. Restrictions in other areas of the hospital premises may be introduced for reasons other than their impact on the safety of medical equipment, such as the desire to reduce the disruption caused by the uncontrolled use of mobile phones and the possible invasion of patients' privacy from mobile telephones with built in cameras, for example.
	No assessments have been carried out to determine the merits of allowing patients to use their mobile telephones in NHS hospitals.

MRSA

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 723W, on MRSA, what her Department's policy is on maintaining current records on reported cases of MRSA; how frequently those data are updated; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 16 February 2006
	Mandatory surveillance measures Methicillin-resitant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (bacteraemias). Results from this surveillance are published every six months. The results from April to September 2005 were published on 6 February 2006 and are available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/hcai.
	From April 2005, trusts have been required to report bacteraemias monthly to the Health Protection Agency, and to check these initial reports quarterly before they are collated for publication.

NHS Campuses (Learning Disability)

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the decision not to include the proposal to close NHS campuses for people with a learning disability in the easy-read version of the White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say.

Liam Byrne: The easy-read version of the White Paper focuses on the issues that will be relevant to most people. It was intended to be a short summary document, which concentrates on the key themes of health and well-being; choice and putting people in control; access to services; and meeting the individual needs of people with long-term conditions.

Nurse Advisers

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurse advisers supplied by private agencies were employed by (a) general practitioner surgeries and (b) hospitals in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 February 2006
	This information is not collected centrally.

Outsourcing

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on costs of the outsourcing of (a) the NHS Pensions Agency, (b) the NHS Logistics Authority, (c) the Dental Practice Board and (d) the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 February 2006
	A high level review on options available to the NHS Business Services Authority for achieving the arms length body (ALB) sector target savings was concluded in September 2005. This report concluded that a business model that sought to gain synergies through merging the processes of the ALBs, and taking advantage of the private sector capabilities to deliver those processes, was most likely to meet the target savings. In relation to further outsourcing of the functions of the merging ALBs the following assessments are in hand:
	NHS Pensions Agency
	Within the original contract negotiated with Paymaster (1836) Limited is a provision to move at some point in the future to full outsourcing. The terms of the contract agreed with Paymaster (1836) Limited require that the NHS Pensions Agency must first allow Paymaster (1836) Limited to bid for the full outsourcing.
	Paymaster (1836) Limited have been asked to prepare a bid for full outsourcing and full consideration will be given to the costs and benefits once it is received.
	NHS Logistics Authority (NHSLA)
	No decision has been made to outsource the NHSLA. The Department is still in the process of market testing. All costs and benefits resulting from outsourcing will be taken into account in the business case.
	Dental Practice Board (DPB)
	A business case for expanding the Astron contract demonstrated that better value could be obtained from it compared to performing the same activity in-house. As well as financial benefits, the DPB advised that the risks associated with implementing the new dental contract would be more effectively controlled if the contract with Astron was extended.
	Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA)
	No further assessment has taken place on outsourcing the functions of this organisation beyond that concluded in September 2005.
	Options for outsourcing the functions of the PPA are still being considered.

Outsourcing

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of (a) the creation of the new Business Services Authority and (b) the administration of the outsourcing.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The creation of the NHS Business Services Authority is part of a larger programme aimed at reconfiguring the Department's arms length bodies (ALBs). While some elements of the costs of creating the NHS Business Services Authority are identifiable, it is not possible to calculate the total costs as the programme costs are not allocated to individual projects.
	The NHS Business Services Authority will not take on the functions of the ALBs merging into it until 1 April 2006. Therefore, it has not outsourced any activity as yet and has incurred no cost associated with administration of outsourcing.

Parliamentary Questions

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many parliamentary questions tabled in the last 12 months for answer by her on a named day (a) were transferred and (b) received a substantive answer (i) on the day named and (ii) after the day named;
	(2)  how many ordinary written parliamentary questions tabled for answer by her in the last 12 months have been answered (a) within 14 days, (b) between 14 and 28 days, (c) between 28 days and two months and (d) in excess of two months after the date of tabling; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information for the year ending 31 January 2006 is shown in the tables.
	
		
			 Named day questions Total number of days 
		
		
			 Transferred 27 
			 Answered on the day named 186 
			 Answered after the named day 1126 
		
	
	
		
			 Ordinary written questions Total number of days 
		
		
			 Within 14 days 3172 
			 1528 days 2298 
			 2960 days 787 
			 2960 days 383 
		
	
	Departments aim to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their Named Day question on the named day and to endeavour to answer Ordinary Written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but this Department makes every effort to achieve these timescales.

Pathfinder Exercise

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why contracts for sterile service supercentres have been issued before the conclusions of the Pathfinder exercise.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 27 February 2006
	No such contracts have been issued.

PET Scanners

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase the number of PET scanners for the diagnostic investigation of people with cancer.

Rosie Winterton: The National Framework for the Development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Services in England published in October 2005 recommended that 46,000 scans should be made available over the next three to five years. 40,000 of these will be for the benefit of cancer patients.
	Therefore, an additional 20 million capital funding has been made available over the next two years (200608) to support the development of this service. In addition a further 25,000 scans per year will be made available from the independent sector over the next five years to support the National Health Service.

Prescription Charges

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discretion her Department has to waive penalty charges imposed where a patient has incorrectly claimed an exemption from prescription charges.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) have issued detailed penalty charge guidance to ensure that primary care trusts can administer penalties consistently and in accordance with the law. This guidance, which can be found on their website at www.cfsms.nhs.uk/files/Penalty%20Charge%20Guidance.pdf explains the two provisions in the penalty charge legislation, which permit responsible authorities in exceptional cases to recover just the unpaid national health service costs and waive a penalty charge.
	First, A Defence under the Legislation where the patient can show that they did not act wrongfully, or with any lack of care and secondly, an Administrative Easement where the personal circumstances are such that issuing a penalty notice may be deemed as inappropriate. Examples of this include patients suffering from a terminal illness or who are in residential care.

Primary Care Trusts (Poor Administration)

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions are available to her against a primary care trust and its board members should poor administration be found by the financial and management specialist team.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 February 2006
	If a primary care trust (PCT) is not performing one or more of its functions adequately, or there are significant failings in the way it is being run, the Secretary of State may make an intervention order under sections 84A and 84B of the National Health Service Act 1977. She also has powers under section 17 of that Act to direct a PCT about the exercise of its functions whether as a sanction or otherwise. There are further powers under sections 97C, 97D and 99 to direct a PCT in respect of its financial functions.
	The Secretary of State also has powers, in the Primary Care Trusts (Membership, Procedure and Administration Arrangements) Regulations 2000 to terminate the tenure of office of the Chair and non-executive board members of a PCT if she is of the opinion that it is not in the interests of the health service in the area for which the trust acts or it is not conducive to the good management of a trust for a person to continue to hold office.

Residential Care Costs

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people in England receiving residential care pay (a) all the cost of such care and (b) part of the cost themselves;
	(2)  how many people in England receiving residential care have the cost of the care paid for them by the National Health Service.

Liam Byrne: Holding answers issued 2 March 2006
	At 31 March 2005, there were 267,200 adults, aged 18 and over, supported in care homes by councils with social service responsibilities (CSSRs) in England. A breakdown of the number of clients who are partially funded and those who are fully funded by CSSRs is not centrally available.
	Data from the independent market analysts Laing and Buission suggest there are some 15,000 to 20,000 National Health Service funded residents and over 100,000 privately funded residents.

Special Advisers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the special advisers retained by Ministers in her Department.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State and her Ministers retain two special advisers, Liz Kendall and Paul Richards.

Sterile Services Initiative

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the consultants used in the Pathfinder project for the sterile services initiative; and what the value was of each contract.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 6 February 2006
	The Pathfinder project will deliver modern decontamination services to the Bradford Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust. The project has used Ernst and Young, Gleeds Management Services and Pinsent Masons. The value of these contracts is commercially confidential.

Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) membership and (b) terms of reference are of the Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group; what assessment she has made of the impact of its work; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The suicide prevention strategy advisory group provides leadership and support in ensuring successful implementation of the national suicide prevention strategy. It also provides valuable input into the development of various specific actions outlined in the strategy where members of the group have a particular expertise. A review of membership was undertaken in 2005 to ensure it reflected the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to take this work forward. The new membership is as follows:
	
		
			 Name Organisation 
		
		
			 Professor Louis Appleby (Chairman) National Director for Mental Health 
			 Keith Foster Suicide Prevention Programme Lead, national Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) 
			 Dr Jenny Bywaters Director of Public Health, NIMHE 
			 Professor Clair Chilvers Department of Health 
			 Sue Graves Department of Health 
			 Alison Tingle Department of Health 
			 Dr David Gunnell University of Bristol 
			 Professor Keith Hawton Centre for Suicide Research, Oxford University 
			 Professor Rachel Jenkins Institute of Psychiatry 
			 Dr Mary Piper Department of Health 
			 Dr Sian Rees Department of Health 
			 Nigel Hancock Safety Custody Group, Health and Offender Partnerships (NOMS) 
			 Dr Neil Brimblecombe Department of Health 
			 Anna Brown PAPYRUS 
			 Veronica Collingridge Coroner's Society of England  Wales 
			 Sandie Keene Local Government Association 
			 Pat Holma National Mental Health Partnership 
			 Finlay Robertson  
			 Professor David Sallah Head of NIMHE BME programme 
			 David King Samaritans 
			 John Scott NIMHE

Supercentre Sterile Services

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has in place to allow fair competition and innovation to continue when supercentre contracts for sterile services are developed.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 27 February 2006
	We are committed to a mixed economy in decontamination in the National Health Service. NHS trusts may choose to redevelop their own services to meet the national standards, they may obtain the service from private contractors by market testing, they may obtain the service as part of a larger private finance initiative project or they may join with other NHS bodies to redevelop the service by means of a joint venture with a private sector service provider.
	We estimate that about 100 NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts will choose to participate in joint ventures with the remainder choosing one of the other options.
	Each supercentre will have a joint venture management board (JVMB) and an instrument review committee (IRG) made up of NHS personnel who will regularly review the performance of the service provider and work in partnership to discuss requirements and maintain innovation.
	The IRC and JVMB will also be responsible for specifying requirements and benchmarking arrangements to ensure fair competition and best value in terms of both quality and price.
	The decisions on procurement routes and products will be determined at local level by the JVMB and the IRC. It is our intention to support both markets by ensuring that agreements are in place that reflect the changing requirements of the NHS, whilst providing opportunities for innovation through competition.
	There are currently a number of national framework agreements in place for products associated with decontamination, some of which are provided through the NHS Logistics Authority. These are available to third parties procuring on behalf of the NHS as well as to the NHS itself.

Waiting Times

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2006, Official Report, column 1686W, on waiting times, if she will provide the equivalent data for the years 199293 to 199697; and how many patients dealt with in an out-patient setting were not subsequently admitted onto the in-patient waiting list in each year since 199798.

Jane Kennedy: The Department is unable to supply data on the estimated mean and median waiting times for a first out-patient appointment with a consultant following general practitioner referral, for years 199293 to 199697. This is because the relevant data collection commenced in September 1997.
	The Department does not centrally collect data on the number of patients dealt with in an out-patient setting who were not subsequently admitted onto the in-patient waiting list.

Working Time Directive

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has undertaken into the impact of the Working Time Directive on (a) junior doctors, (b) consultants, (c) registrars and (d) nursing staff in the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge Health Authority area.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not undertaken any research into the impact of the working time directive (WTD) in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge Health Authority area. Implementation of the WTD is the responsibility of local National Health Service trusts and strategic health authorities (SHAs) were required to draw up affordable plans to meet WTD 2004.
	The Government agreed to implement the European WTD as United Kingdom legislation to improve the health and safety and working lives of all employees in this country. The vast majority of staff groups have been covered by the 48-hour week since 1998. The Government negotiated; an extension to the WTD for doctors in training to enable phased implementation from August 2004.

Insurance (Genetic Testing)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of research undertaken jointly by the Human Genetics Committee and the Genetics and Insurance Committee on the use of genetic information by the insurance industry, which was due for completion in 2005;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the temporary ban, voluntarily agreed between the Government and the Association of British Insurers on insurers requesting the results of predictive genetic tests on breast cancer genes.

Jane Kennedy: The consultation and analysis done by the human genetics commission jointly with the genetics and insurance committee (GAIC) has been used to inform the development of the Government's and insurer's Concordat and Moratorium on Genetics and Insurance, published in March 2005. This document ensures that the use of genetic information by insurance companies will be transparent, fair, and subject to independent oversight. It sets out a range of protections against the use of genetic information by insurers and puts in place until November 2011 a voluntary agreement banning the use by insurers of the results from predictive genetic tests, including tests on breast cancer genes, in deciding the premiums of insurance policies.
	During the moratorium no one will be required to disclose the results of a predictive genetic test unless it has been approved by the GAIC and is for insurance of more than 500,000 for life insurance or 300,000 for other health insurance. To date, the only test that has been approved by GAIC is for Huntington's disease for life insurance polices over 500,000, and no applications for any other tests will be submitted before 2008.
	The current agreement with the insurance industry is flexible enough to respond to fast moving technological and clinical developments in genetic testing. The Government has made clear that any failure of the agreement will lead to the reconsideration of the need for statutory control. Copies of the Concordat are available in the Library and are also available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/publications.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academies

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many academies are supported by organisations which incorporate or adhere to a faith or religious ethos in their (a) curricula and (b) admissions policies.

Jacqui Smith: Only Academies which have been designated as having a religious character may incorporate a faith or religious ethos in their curricula and admissions policies. Of the 27 Academies which are currently open eight have been designated as having a religious character. All of the eight open Academies which have been designated as having a religious character operate a curriculum which reflects the ethos of the tenets of their chosen faith. However, religious designation does not require an Academy to operate a faith based admissions policy, and only three Academies do this.

Arson

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the cost of losses of buildings used for education caused by arson in each year since 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not have figures or estimates for the costs of arson in educational buildings over that period and nor does the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), the department with the policy lead on arson. ODPM does have figures for 2003. These show that in England and Wales there were 792 deliberate fires in schools and 118 deliberate fires in further education establishments that year910 such fires in total. ODPM's Cost of Fire Estimates for 2003 show that the average cost of property damage for public sector buildings, which includes educational premises, was 45,410 in England and Wales. Using these figures, the cost of fire losses due to arson in schools and further education colleges that year were estimated to be 41,323,100.

Canvey Junior School

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will name the teacher who resigned from Canvey Junior School in 2004 after receiving a police caution for having indecent images of children; whether this person (a) is and (b) has since their resignation been working with children; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 6 February 2006
	In accordance with its obligations under the Data Protection Act, the Department does not disclose personal information in the detail of individual cases.

Chicken Farming

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make representations to the Deputy Prime Minister to prevent planning permission from being granted to chicken farms being opened in close proximity to schools.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 20 January 2006
	We will not be making any representations to the Deputy Prime Minister. It is a matter for local planners to decide the locations of chicken farms taking into account any relevant guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Government are working closely with key stakeholders on all issues related to the protection of human health during a possible outbreak of avian influenza.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Criminal Records Bureau checks were requested by (a) schools, (b) local authorities and (c) her Department in each year since 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The Information required is not available in the format requested.
	However, the Criminal Records Bureau confirms that since its launch in 2002, over 8 million disclosures have been issued.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a Criminal Records Bureau check was requested on Paul Reeve by (a) Norfolk county council and (b) the head teacher or other authorised staff member at the Hewett School in Norwich.

Ruth Kelly: My Department has made it clear in successive guidance that CRB checks are strongly recommended as part of the appointment process for anybody who will be working in a school, further education institution or LEA education service.
	'Safeguarding children in education' (September 2004) emphasises the wider responsibilities on employers, including adopting recruitment practices which involve scrutinising applicants, verifying any qualifications, obtaining references, checking previous job history as well as a check of List 99 and CRB check where appropriate.
	The changes I announced in my statement of 19 January will mean that existing arrangements become compulsory for schools through proposed amendments to regulations to be made under sections 35 and 36 of the Education Act 2002 (and section 72 of the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998)this will affect amendments to the current School Staffing (England) Regulations 2003 and will make an 'on appointment' CRB check compulsory for all new appointments to the schools workforce.
	The Department does not know whether a Criminal Records Bureau check was requested on Paul Reeve.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are employed in the Children's Safeguards Unit in Darlington.

Ruth Kelly: As of 31 January 2006 there were 96 people (86.9 full time equivalent posts) employed in the Safeguarding Children Unit. Staff in this unit work on a number of different areas of policy, operations and casework.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who is the head of the Children's Safeguard Unit.

Ruth Kelly: It is my Department's policy not to reveal the names of individuals who are working within the Safeguarding Children Unit or any other unit.

Class Sizes

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the size of each class is in each (a) primary and (b) secondary school in Haltemprice and Howden.

Jacqui Smith: Information on class sizes in primary and secondary schools in Haltemprice and Howden is shown in the following table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(50): Average class size(51)(5508880052)January 2005Haltemprice and Howden parliamentary constituency
		
			 URN School name Number of classes Number of pupils in classes Average class size 
		
		
			 Primary schools 
			 117824 Barmby-on-the-Marsh Primary School 1 16 16.0 
			 117841 Eastrington Primary School 6 127 21.2 
			 117842 Brough Primary School 14 366 26.1 
			 117844 Gilberdyke Primary School 10 256 25.6 
			 117845 Anlaby Junior School 10 272 27.2 
			 117846 Hallgate Junior School 8 232 29.0 
			 117847 Hallgate Infant School 6 154 25.7 
			 117850 Willerby Carr Lane Junior School 12 349 29.1 
			 117852 Holme-upon-Spalding Moor Primary School 11 314 28.5 
			 117854 Howden Junior School 8 188 23.5 
			 117859 Newbald Primary School 4 69 17.3 
			 117860 Newport Primary School 5 132 26.4 
			 117868 Welton Primary School 7 183 26.1 
			 117874 Cottingham Croxby Primary School 10 284 28.4 
			 117875 Cottingham Bacon Garth Primary School 6 146 24.3 
			 117877 Anlaby Infant School 6 170 28.3 
			 117878 Bubwith Community Primary School 3 80 26.7 
			 117881 Kirk Ella St. Andrew's Community Primary School 21 586 27.9 
			 117883 Westfield Primary School 14 380 27.1 
			 117884 Swanland Primary School 14 408 29.1 
			 117885 Springhead Primary School 7 150 21.4 
			 117887 Willerby Carr Lane Infant School 9 226 25.1 
			 117888 Anlaby Acre Heads Primary School 12 336 28.0 
			 117891 Elloughton Primary School 11 289 26.3 
			 117984 North Cave Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 5 114 22.8 
			 117985 North Ferriby Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 11 289 26.3 
			 117990 Little Weighton Rowley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 4 78 19.5 
			 117992 Skidby Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 4 81 20.3 
			 118003 South Cave Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 15 397 26.5 
			 118055 St. Thomas More RC Primary School 4 129 32.3 
			 118121 Howden Church of England Infant School 7 179 25.6 
			  
			 Secondary Schools 
			 118077 South Hunsley School 79 1,716 21.7 
			 118079 Cottingham High School 70 1,513 21.6 
			 118083 Wolfreton School 91 1,895 20.8 
			 118084 Howden School and Technology College 34 719 21.1 
			 118106 Sydney Smith School 59 1,544 26.2 
		
	
	(50) Includes middle schools as deemed
	(51) One teacher classes
	(52) Classes as taught during one selected period on the day of the census in January

Communication Aids

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what factors underlay the decision to discontinue the Communication Aids Project from 1 April 2006; and if she will make a statement on the future funding mechanisms for assisting children and adults with complex communication issues.

Maria Eagle: Since it went live in April 2002, the Communication Aids Project has assisted some 4,000 children of school age experiencing significant difficulty in communicating with those around them. The project has been successful but we have always made it clear, through the referral process and otherwise, that CAP was there to supplement, and not replace, provision made locally. The present tranche of funding is time-limited and comes to an end in March 2006. With other pressures on funding arising from the Government's ambitious agenda for education, it has not been possible to extend the funding for CAP.
	Addressing severe communication difficulties is clearly an important part of meeting individual needs for local service providers. Where children are concerned, we would be looking to children's services, through children's trusts, to provide appropriate support and equipment to all disabled children. Adult needs would be met by local authorities and primary care trusts working together through their integrated community equipment services.

Corporate Services

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she has taken to reduce the costs of the corporate services of (a) her Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) Ofsted; and what savings have been made as a consequence.

Ruth Kelly: The Department has agreed budgets which reflect a commitment to make 15 percent. efficiency savings in real terms in administrative expenditure (of which corporate services expenditure is an element) by 200708, within the Department itself, and across the landscape of its non-departmental public bodies and Ofsted. We are monitoring spend across all these budgets to ensure spend does not exceed profiled levels.
	Work is also underway to examine how the sharing of corporate services can produce further efficiencies for the department and its NDPBs.
	My Department reported progress towards our Gershon Review target in the Department's autumn performance report. It will report further progress in the departmental annual report which we expect to publish in April.

Criminal Records Bureau

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of (a) teaching staff and (b) non-teaching staff in schools in England have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau, broken down by local education authority.

Ruth Kelly: The information is not available in the format requested.

Disadvantaged Children

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that disadvantaged children are given appropriate school placements under the White Paper proposals.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 14 February 2006
	We will place a duty on local authorities to provide advice and assistance to parents when expressing preferences for schools. We are investing in a network of choice advisers to provide practical support to parents most likely to need extra help with the admissions process. This will ensure that ALL parents, including the most disadvantaged, will be able to make an informed choice of school for their child.
	We will make it easier for schools to adopt banding to ensure that the pupils admitted to the schools are representative of all levels of ability. This can give children living further away more chance of obtaining entry to schools than would have been the case if distance had been the main criterion. We also intend to reduce inequalities by giving disadvantaged parents easier access to a wider choice of schools. The White Paper proposals will extend school transport rights for low income groups to remove barriers to effective choice.
	School failure is more prevalent in deprived areas, so disadvantaged children may be more likely than their peers to attend a weak school. The Schools White Paper proposals contain firm measures to ensure that school failure and underperformance is addressed more rapidly and more decisively.

Education (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support will be provided in respect of free school transport for less well off children attending (a) the Thomas Deacon Academy and (b) the Voyager School in Peterborough constituency.

Jacqui Smith: Current legislation requires local authorities to make transport arrangements for pupils of compulsory school age who attend their nearest suitable school, and where this is beyond statutory walking distance (3 miles for secondary aged pupils). Pupils meeting these criteria will have transport arrangements made for them by the local authority.
	The Education and Inspections Bill includes proposals to extend entitlement to free home to school transport for low income familiesfor secondary aged pupils to any one of the three nearest suitable schools, where the distance travelled is between two and six miles.

Education Funding

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding her Department allocated for IT equipment in schools in (a) Leicester and (b) England in each year between 1997 and 2005.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold information on funding for ICT at constituency level. However, Leicester East is in Leicester City LA and allocations for this authority, between 19982005, are detailed in 'Funding for ICT in Schools in England' which is available in the House Library. The document also includes total funding allocations for schools in England in each year. The ICT funding allocation for Leicester City LA in 20052006 was 2,530,305 and the total allocation for ICT in schools in England was 611 million.

Education Funding

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the dedicated school grant per pupil was in Milton Keynes in 200405; and what she estimates the grant per pupil will be in each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is being introduced from 200607. The data I placed in the Library to accompany my written statement of 7 December 2005 on the School Funding Settlement for 200607 and 200708, sets out how much DSG each authority will receive for those years. That statement and more detailed information may be found on the Teachernet website at: www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfundinq/200607_funding_arrangements/

Examination Report

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to publish its second report into the use of coursework in GCSE and GCE A level exams.

Jacqui Smith: The 1419 Education and Skills White Paper asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to carry out a review of coursework in GCSE and A level qualifications with a view to reducing the cumulative burden. We expect to receive the outcome of QCA's review by Easter 2006.

Foreign Language Teaching

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools teach at least two foreign languages in each year group.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not held centrally. Beyond delivering the core subjects, schools are free to choose what other subjects they teach.

GCSEs

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in secondary schools with over 20 percent. of pupils entitled to free school meals, what is (a) (i) the percentage of such pupils and (ii) the overall proportion leaving without a qualification and (b) the overall proportion achieving grade A* to C at GCSE or equivalent.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 February 2006
	The information requested for academic year 2004/05 can be found in the following table.
	Figures for all maintained mainstream schools have been provided for comparison.
	
		
			  Maintained mainstream1 secondary schools with 20 percent. FSM All maintained mainstream1 secondary schools 
		
		
			 Number of schools 851 3,123 
			
			 Background information   
			 Total number of pupils(54) 772,518 3,206,924 
			 Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(55) 33.2 14.3 
			
			 GCSE and equivalent achievements   
			 Total number of pupils at the end of KS4J 139,528 571,423 
			 Percentage of pupils at the end of KS4 achieving5:   
			 No qualification 4.8 2.6 
			 5 or more A*-C at GCSE and equivalent 41.5 55.9 
		
	
	(53) Maintained mainstream schools include academies, community schools, voluntary aided schools, voluntary controlled schools, Foundation schools and city technology colleges.
	(54) Includes all pupils with sole and dual (main) enrolment status on the schools' registers.
	(55) The number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals (FSM) expressed as a percentage of the school population.
	(56) Number of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in academic year 2004/05.
	(57) Includes achievements for these pupils in other academic years.

Grammar Schools

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when she last visited a state grammar school on official business;
	(2)  how many visits she has made to state grammar schools on official business since 5 May 2005; and to which schools.

Ruth Kelly: Since my appointment as Secretary of State for Education and Skills, I have not visited any state grammar schools on official business.

Gypsies/Travellers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targeted programmes have been introduced to address under-performance of pupils from Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Jacqui Smith: We are concerned that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils are among the lowest achieving in our schools. In 2003 the Government launched a national strategy to tackle the underachievement of minority ethnic pupils. This included a range of initiatives aimed at supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people, including a national pilot project testing strategies to improve attendance and raise attainment.
	The findings from this pilot have informed the development of a national programme of work to support local authorities and schools with large numbers of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to better meet their needs. This will be launched in 12 local authorities in April 2006 and follows up a commitment we made in the Schools White Paper.

Head Teachers

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the average salary paid to head teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools was in each year since 1995;
	(2)  what the average age of head teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools was in each year since 1995;
	(3)  how many head teachers (a) retired and (b) were appointed in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in each year since 1995;
	(4)  what the average salary of head teachers was in 200405, broken down by region.

Jacqui Smith: As a result of the data issues explained in my response to the hon. Member's question of 31 January on the publication Statistics of Education: The School Workforce in England, the most recent data currently available are for March 2003, (except for retirements) which are available for 2004. The figures provided for 2001 onwards are the best currently available but may be revised following further analysis. Any revisions will be made available on the Research and Statistics Gateway 1 . The available data are shown in the tables.
	Information on the average salary of head teachers by region is not currently available.
	1 The Research and Statistics Gateway is the web portal that provides access to all DfES statistics, it can be found at the following address: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/
	The following table provides the average salary and average age of full-time regular qualified head teachers employed in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England, March 1995 to March 2003, the latest information available.
	
		Average salary and average age of full-time regular qualified head teachers in the maintained schools sector in England, March 1995 to March 2003
		
			  Nursery/primary Secondary 
			  Mean salary () Mean age Mean salary () Mean age 
		
		
			 1995 28,000 47.7 38,500 49.3 
			 1996 28,900 47.9 39,800 49.3 
			 1997 30,100 48.0 41,500 49.4 
			 1998 31,100 48.0 43,100 49.3 
			 1999 32,500 48.4 44,900 49.7 
			 2000 35,100 48.9 48,200 50.1 
			 2001 37,300 49.1 50,800 50.1 
			 2002 39,400 49.4 54,000 50.3 
			 2003 41,700 49.6 57,500 50.5 
		
	
	Source:
	Database of Teacher Records
	Average salaries are rounded to the nearest 100.
	Schools and local authorities have flexibility to award recruitment and retention incentives and are able to set a head teacher's salary above the top of the pay spine.
	The following table provides the number of head teachers who retired and the number of teachers promoted to head teacher in each year from 199596 to 200304, the latest information available.
	
		Head teacher retirement awards and promotions in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England, (financial years)
		
			  Nursery/primary Secondary 
			  Retirement awards(58) Promotions(59) Retirement awards(58) Promotions(59) 
		
		
			 199596 1,080 1,710 300 390 
			 199697 1,370 1,860 300 450 
			 199798(60) 1,360 2,120 360 530 
			 199899 550 1,440 200 410 
			 19992000 600 1,810 170 420 
			 200001(61) 1,030 1,810 270 680 
			 200102 870 1,690 240 490 
			 200203 790 1,490 240 460 
			 200304 880 n/a 200 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = not available
	(58) Includes teachers whose last day of service may have been some years earlier than the retirement award date.
	(59) Promotions exclude teachers who were not previously in service or in service outside of the maintained sector.
	(60) The effect of the change in the Teachers' Pensions Scheme as from 31 August 1997 was that many more teachers took early retirement in 199697 and 199798 than in previous and subsequent years.
	(61) Standards Fund money was made available in 200001 and 200002 to support early retirement scheme specifically aimed at head teachers.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Database of Teacher Records and Pensioner Statistics Database

Head Teachers

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of applicants for the National Professional Qualification for Headship were required to retake (a) the school-based assessment and (b) the final assessment in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of teachers with the National Professional Qualification for Headship qualified through each available route;
	(3)  what the pass rate for the National Professional Qualification for Headship was in each year since 1997;
	(4)  how many people have been awarded the National Professional Qualification for Headship in each year since 1997;
	(5)  what proportion of headteachers have the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

Jacqui Smith: On the basis of information provided by the National College of School Leadership (NCSL), which has run the revised National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) since its introduction in 2001.
	Candidates must pass the school-based assessment before they can move to the final stage. There is no obligation to retake an assessment, but these candidates would have to do so if they were to obtain the NPQH. The following table shows how many candidates did not meet the assessment criteria in each year since 2001.
	
		
			  School-based assessment Final assessment 
			 Calendar year Number of candidates who did not meet assessment criteria Percentage of candidates who did not meet assessment criteria Number of candidates who did not meet assessment criteria Percentage of candidates who did not meet assessment criteria 
		
		
			 2002 38 1.4 35 1.4 
			 2003 97 2.9 118 3.5 
			 2004 114 2.9 111 2.8 
			 2005 113 2.7 156 3.6 
		
	
	14,526 candidates graduated with the NPQH in the period 200105. The number and percentage of candidates that qualified via each route is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of graduates Percentage of graduates 
		
		
			 Route 1 4,646 32.0 
			 Route 2 8,484 58.4 
			 Route 3 1,396 9.6 
			 Total 14,526 100.0 
		
	
	The three routes for the revised model of the NPQH are access (route 1); development (route 2); accelerated (route 3). For each intake, all three routes start at the same time but conclude at different rates, from around six months (accelerated route) to two years (access route).
	There are two intakes for NPQH each calendar year, and the following table shows the percentage of candidates in each intake that have graduated as at January 2006. Successful candidates will achieve the NPQH at different rates, from around six months (accelerated route) to two years (access route). From intake 7 (March 2004) onwards, the percentage of those who have graduated is lower than for previous intakes because some candidates will still be working towards NPQH, as would be expected.
	
		
			Candidates from this intake who had graduated as at January 2006 
			 Intake Start date Candidates in intake Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 March 2001 2,869 2,352 82.0 
			 2 September 2001 2,300 1,953 84.9 
			 3 March 2002 1,487 1,270 85.4 
			 4 September 2002 2,541 2,190 86.1 
			 5 March 2003 1,897 1,620 85.3 
			 6 September 2003 2,900 2,356 81.2 
			 7 March 2004 2,029 1,366 67.2 
			 8 September 2004 2,844 1,291 45.4 
			 9 March 2005 2,100 128 6.1 
			 10 September 2005 2,849   
			   23,816 14,526  
		
	
	The following table shows the number of people that have been awarded the revised NPQH in each year since 2001.
	
		
			  Number of candidates awarded revised NPQH 
		
		
			 2001 387 
			 2002 2,783 
			 2003 3,282 
			 2004 3,838 
			 2005 4,236 
			 Total 14,526 
		
	
	As of January 2005, there were 22,860 full-time serving headteachers in the maintained sector in England. The NCSL estimates that around 23 per cent. of these headteachers now hold the NPQH. From 1 April 2004, it has been mandatory for all those appointed to their first headship post in local authority maintained schools, and non-maintained special schools, to hold the NPQH or be working towards it.

Head Teachers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacancies there were for headteacher positions in each year from 1997 to 2005 in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England.

Jacqui Smith: The following table gives the number of full-time head teacher vacancies and temporarily filled head teacher posts in maintained schools in Leicestershire and Leicester local authority and in England, in each year, January 1997 to 2005, the latest information available.
	
		Full-time head teacher vacancies(62) and temporarily filled posts(63), in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, January 1997 to 2005
		
			  Local authority 
			  Former Leicestershire Leicestershire(post 1 April 1997) Leicester England 
		
		
			 1997 
			 Vacancies 9   180 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies) 
			  
			 1998 
			 Vacancies  0 4 250 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  6 4 580 
			  
			 1999 
			 Vacancies  1 4 250 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  6 4 490 
			  
			 2000 
			 Vacancies  0 3 230 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  12 3 540 
			  
			 2001 
			 Vacancies  1 3 190 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  8 3 650 
			  
			 2002 
			 Vacancies  0 6 170 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  4 10 520 
			  
			 2003 
			 Vacancies  3 6 130 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  3 7 540 
			  
			 2004 
			 Vacancies  1 0 120 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  8 3 570 
			  
			 2005 
			 Vacancies  5 0 170 
			 Temporarily filled posts (including vacancies)  6 5 610 
		
	
	(62) Advertised vacancies for permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Posts filled by somebody on a contract of a term or more are not counted as being vacant.
	2. Temporarily filled full-time permanent appointments (including vacancies). The definition is wider than the vacancy definition above (items b to d as follows are in addition to the normal definition).
	a. where there is no incumbent who is expected to return to the post.
	b. whether or not filled on a temporary basis, i.e either without a contract or on a contract of less than one year,
	c. whether or not advertised,
	d. where an appointment has been made but not yet taken up.
	(63) In April 1997 Leicestershire was reorganised into two authorities, Leicestershire and Leicester. Information on temporarily filled posts were not collected before 1998.
	Note:
	Figures for England are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	DfES annual 618G survey.

Key Skills Training

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department have allocated for key skills training in secondary schools in (a) Lancashire and (b) West Lancashire in each year since the beginning of the scheme.

Jacqui Smith: Training for key skills teachers is provided through the Key Skills Support Programme (KSSP) which focuses on post-16 learners in schools, colleges and work-based training. The amounts allocated nationally for schools and colleges since the start of the KSSP are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Allocation () 
		
		
			 19992000 4,000,000 
			 200001 4,000,000 
			 200102 4,000,000 
			 200203 4,000,000 
			 200304 4,000,000 
			 200405 3,115,000 
			 200506 3,525,000 
		
	
	The KSSP is a national programme and the above figures represent the total allocations across England for both secondary schools and colleges. More detailed breakdowns, whether by region or by type of institution, are not available.

Key Stage 3

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the review by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority of the Key Stage 3 curriculum.

Jacqui Smith: Key Stage 3 needs to be the springboard into a reformed 1419 phase. The purpose of the Key Stage 3 Review is to define clearly the essential elements of National Curriculum subjects to which all young people are entitled and, in so doing, create space in the school timetable. This will give schools flexibility to offer catch up provision for those who are struggling particularly in English and mathematics and to provide stretching opportunities for all children, including those who have particular gifts and talents.

List 99

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individuals whose names have been removed from (a) List 99 and (b) the Protection of Children Act List in each of the last four years have subsequently been employed in the provision of childcare in any regulated setting from birth to entry to school.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 31 January 2006
	Employment decisions are a matter for individual employers. Departmental guidance 'Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service' gives comprehensive advice on the full range of pre-employment checks that need to be undertaken before employing an individual including obtaining CRB checks. Employers must make a judgment on the suitability of the applicant in hand. CRB checks are mandatory for all those working in regulated child care settings and for all newly appointed teachers.
	Any individual who appears on list 99 or the POCA List (other than provisionally) on the grounds of unsuitability to work with children is barred from working in a regulated position within the meaning of section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 which includes a position where normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in charge of children.

List 99

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received about individuals whose name appears (a) on the Sex Offenders Register, (b) List 99 and (c) the Protection of Children Act List working in unregulated child care settings.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 31 January 2006
	My Department does not keep a central record of any such representations.

Music

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding her Department has made available for school music facilities in (a) West Lancashire and (b) Lancashire in each academic year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Capital allocations to local authorities and schools are higher than ever before. In 200506 they are 5.5 billion and they are planned to rise to 6.3 billion in 200708, an increase from 683 million in 199697.
	Allocations are made on a financial year basis, not the academic year. The Department does not hold information on funding for music facilities at constituency level. However, West Lancashire comes under Lancashire county council and allocations for this authority since 199798 are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 1997 13.3 
			 1998 19.5 
			 1999 36.8 
			 2000 42.2 
			 2001 36.0 
			 2002 55.5 
			 2003 62.6 
			 2004 44.2 
			 2005 38.1 
		
	
	We expect local authorities and schools to take decisions on allocating funds between their various priorities, including music facilities, in accordance with local asset management plans.

New Schools

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many competitions in relation to opening new schools by local education authorities took place under the Education Act (a) 2002 and (b) 2005 in each year since commencement of the relevant provisions; what the results of these were; and how many such competitions were forecast to be likely to take place under each Act prior to their coming into force.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 2 March 2006
	There have been no competitions in relation to opening new schools under the Education Acts 2002 and 2005. The provisions of the 2002 Act apply to additional secondary schools only and do not affect proposals by proposers other than the local authority. It is therefore open to authorities to support proposals by other proposers rather than hold a competition.
	The provisions of the 2005 Act have yet to be commenced, and we are currently consulting on regulations and guidance to be made under them. These provisions will require competitions for all new secondary schools, including replacement schools as a result of reorganisation, and allow the publication of proposals outside a competition only with the consent of the Secretary of State.
	It was estimated that the circumstances under which a competition could potentially arise under the 2002 Act might number seven or eight a year, and that there might be up to 20 competitions a year under the wider provisions of the 2005 Act.

Parent Choice

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department have undertaken into the effects that extending parent choice in secondary schools would have on pupil distribution.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 16 February 2006
	None.

Playing Fields

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school playing fields in Manchester have been sold since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Since 1997, seven applications involving the sale of school playing field capable of forming at least a small sports pitch have been approved at schools in Manchester. Of these, five were at closed schools.

Post-16 Education

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2005, Official Report, column 1721W, on sixth forms, if she will make a statement on the outcome of the consultation with stakeholder representative groups and bodies on the guidance for the operation of the 1619 capital fund.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 2 March 2006
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) consulted stakeholder representative groups on its guidance for the operation of the 1619 capital fund in October 2005. 155 organisations responded, including 21 local authorities, 41 schools, 36 sixth form colleges and 44 general Further Education colleges. The LSC published its guidance on the 1619 capital fund in December 2005.

Religious Education

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether she plans to review the law requiring a daily act of collective worship of a broadly Christian nature in all community schools.

Jacqui Smith: The current policy regarding collective worship is set out in the Department for Education and Skills Circular 1/94. All registered pupils attending a maintained school, primary or secondary, should take part in a daily act of collective worship. There are no current plans to review this requirement.
	Collective worship is to be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. However, if a head teacher considers that the requirement for Christian collective worship is inappropriate for their school, he or she can apply to the local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education to have it lifted or modified.

School Buildings

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is her Department's policy to reduce grants for new school buildings if a sprinkler system is included in the plans.

Jacqui Smith: It is not the Department's policy to reduce grants or other forms of capital funding for new school buildings if sprinkler systems are included in the plans.
	Where a local education authority (LEA) decides that sprinklers are needed in a new school, it will clearly add to the overall project costs. Limited figures we have from LEAs indicate that installing sprinkler systems in new schools adds some 510 per cent. to construction costs. Because this data is based on a relatively small number of projects, we have commissioned the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to carry out a cost benefit analysis of installing sprinklers in new school buildings. We expect a preliminary report from BRE by Easter.

School Providers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many potential providers have submitted proposals to set up schools under provisions for open competition in the Acts of (a) 1998, (b) 2002 and (c) 2005; and how many of these have been successful in each case.

Jacqui Smith: The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 did not make provision for competitions for the establishment of new secondary schools. The Education Act 2002 introduced the requirement that a local authority run a competition where it proposed to establish an additional secondary school as a community or foundation school. These measures came into force in June 2003 but there have been no competitions to date. The Education Act 2005 will extend the requirement for competitions to all proposals for new secondary schools, including replacement schools, but the provisions have not yet been commenced. We are currently consulting on regulations and guidance which will bring these measures into force.
	Promoters, other than a local authority, may currently publish proposals for a new school without the need for a competition. When the 2005 Act measures come into force new secondary schools will normally be established following competitions. Promoters will, however, be able to apply to the Secretary of State for consent to publish proposals without the requirement of a competition.

School Results

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 11-year-olds attending (a) faith schools and (b) other maintained schools achieved (i) level 4 and (ii) level 5 in (A) English, (B) mathematics, (C) science, (D) reading, (E) writing, (F) reading and writing and (G) reading, writing and mathematics in each year since 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 2005 have been provided as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage pupils achieving level 4 or above 
			   Faith schools Other maintained schools 
		
		
			 English 84 77 
			 Maths 80 73 
			 Science 90 85 
			 Reading 89 83 
			 Writing 69 61 
			 Reading and writing 68 59 
			 Reading, writing and maths 63 54 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage pupils achieving level 5 or above 
			   Faith schools Other maintained schools 
		
		
			 English 31 24 
			 Maths 35 28 
			 Science 52 44 
			 Reading 49 39 
			 Writing 18 14 
			 Reading and writing 16 12 
			 Reading, writing and maths 11 8 
		
	
	Note:
	Only LA maintained schools whose results are published in the Achievement and Attainment Tables are included in this analysis.

School Results

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 11 year olds in receipt of free school meals attending (a) faith schools and (b) other maintained schools achieved (i) level 4 and (ii) level 5 in (A) English, (B) mathematics, (C) science, (D) reading, (E) writing, (F) reading and writing and (G) reading, writing and mathematics in each year since 1996.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 2005 have been provided as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage pupils in receipt of FSM achieving level 4 or above 
			   Faith schools Other maintained schools 
		
		
			 English 67 59 
			 Maths 62 55 
			 Science 77 71 
			 Reading 75 67 
			 Writing 50 43 
			 Reading and writing 48 41 
			 Reading, writing and maths 41 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage pupils in receipt of FSM achieving level 5 
			   Faith schools Other maintained schools 
		
		
			 English 14 10 
			 Maths 16 13 
			 Science 29 25 
			 Reading 26 20 
			 Writing 8 6 
			 Reading and writing 6 5 
			 Reading, writing and maths 4 3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Only LA maintained schools whose results are published in the Achievement and Attainment Tables are included in this analysis.
	2. The free school meal information is gathered through the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) in January 2005.

School Sport

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to ensure that sufficient time is made available for high quality physical education in schools.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture Media and Sport are jointly implementing the national PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy in England. In the five years to 2008 over 1.5 billion is being invested (including 686 million lottery funding) to implement the strategy.
	The strategy is delivering an ambitious public service agreement target to increase the percentage of five to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006 and then 85 per cent. by 2008. The long-term ambition, by 2010, is to offer all children at least four hours of sport every week.
	Spearheading this strategy is the creation of a national PE/sports infrastructure, by establishing a network of Sports Colleges and School Sport Partnerships (families of schools which work together). There are currently 411 live partnerships incorporating 80 per cent. of schools in England. The 2004/05 school sport survey results found that overall, 69 per cent. of pupils within a School Sport Partnership were participating in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week. In 2003/04 this figure was 62 per cent.

School Staff (Child Protection)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is her policy to inform parents at the school involved when teachers are found to have indecent pictures of children on their computers.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 7 February 2006
	The Department for Education and Skills expects employers to notify its List 99 team and the police as soon as possible after such an offence came to light. Any teacher convicted of this offence would be automatically barred.
	It is not the Department's policy to notify parents in such circumstances. This would be a decision for the governing body of the school.

School Staff (Child Protection)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is her policy to issue a caution to teachers found to be breaking the law by having indecent pictures of children on their computers in exchange for them resigning; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 7 February 2006
	Formal cautions are the responsibility of the police.

School Statistics

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  at what stage the data quality issues affecting the Statistics of Education: School workforce in England statistical release were detected; what the data quality issues are; and whether they have affected previous releases on the school workforce;
	(2)  when she expects the final version of the Statistics of Education: School Workforce in England volume to be completed.

Jacqui Smith: This annual volume brings together a range of data from various sources. A potential problem with one of the sources was found in January 2005 and since then analysis has been carried out to identify the underlying cause and to explore potential solutions. This analysis is continuing and this interim version of the volume was released in January so as not to hold up the release of the majority of the tables, which are unaffected. As a national statistics publication, the content and the timing of the release are determined by the Department's head of profession for statistics and are not influenced by Ministers.
	The problem relates to the way that members of the leadership group are identified.
	Further work is required, but it is now clear that a number of head teachers have been mis-recorded as either deputy or assistant heads.
	The information in question is based on service details from the Teachers Pension Scheme. This is maintained primarily for pension administration purposes but is also used for statistical purposes. The grade issue does not affect pension administration.
	The on-going analysis shows that the problem appears to relate to the introduction of the leadership pay spine in September 2000. Consequently, some tables within previous editions of the volume are affected. A note explaining how each table is affected has been added as an annex to the explanatory notes on the Research and Statistics Gateway 1 . Statistical first releases on the school workforce don't use data from the pension scheme and are not affected in any way.
	Further analysis is being carried out during February with a view to finalising the volume in March. If possible, updated or amended tables will be included. If the further work indicates that the problem is likely to take longer to resolve, any possible additions or amendments will be released on the Research and Statistics Gateway, alongside the volume, as soon as possible.
	1 The Research and Statistics Gateway is the web portal that provides access to all DfES statistics, it can be found at the following address:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/

Sex Offenders

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether registered sex offenders have been approved by her Department to work in Reading local education authority schools.

Ruth Kelly: My Department does not approve people to work in schools.
	My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

Sex Offenders

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether registered sex offenders have been approved by her Department to work in Coventry local education authority schools.

Ruth Kelly: My Department does not 'approve' individuals to work in schools. My statement, and the accompanying report, of 19 January set out clearly the Government's analysis of, and response to, issues concerning child protection and List 99, together with the action we are currently taking.

Teaching Assistants

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching assistants have (a) been dismissed and (b) left primary schools in Sheffield since 2001; and what the reasons for the dismissal or departure were in each case.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 2 March 2006
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Traveller Children (West Lancashire)

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on education provision for Traveller children in West Lancashire.

Jacqui Smith: We are concerned that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils are amongst the lowest achieving in our schools. In 2003 the Government launched a national strategy to tackle the underachievement of minority ethnic pupils. This included a range of initiatives aimed at supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller young people, including a national pilot project testing strategies to improve attendance and raise attainment.
	The findings from this pilot have informed the development of a national programme of work to support local authorities and schools with large numbers of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils to better meet their needs. This will be launched in April 2006 and follows up a commitment we made in the schools White Paper.

Truancy

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost has been of her Department's campaigns designed to reduce truancy since 1997.

John Smith: Truancy is one of several reasons why a child may be absent from school without authorisation. My Department has spent the following on measures aimed solely at reducing absence from schools:
	11.25 million to help 530 secondary schools which had higher than average rates of unauthorised absence to purchase electronic registration systems;
	0.8 million on advisers working within the National Strategies to provide support to local authorities on their attendance strategies;
	0.3 million on eight advisers seconded from local authorities to the Department to work with 60 local authorities with high levels of unauthorised absence; and
	0.2 million on events for local authorities to share effective practice on attendance management.
	In addition to these specific measures my Department has funded other initiatives such as the Behaviour Improvement Programme which have had, as part of their overall objectives, the reduction of absence and truancy.

Trust Schools

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she and her officials have had with universities in the north west of England on their potential involvement in proposed trust schools.

Jacqui Smith: Ministers and Officials have met a wide variety of schools and organisations, including some higher education institutions in the North West, to explore interest and discuss ideas for how the trust school model might be developed. We do not hold a comprehensive list of every organisation that has expressed interest or asked for information about forming a trust to support a school. I have placed in the Library of the House a list of a number of those organisations with whom we have discussed trust schools since publication of the White Paper. We are engaged in early discussions with a number of other organisations, including some hgher education ienstitutions in the North West and will release information about them once they have agreed to be involved in a pathfinder (except in cases where release might prejudice discussions with stakeholders in the project) or if they have agreed to be publicly named as working with the Government to develop the trust school model.

Trust Schools

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria she will set to determine who will be able to form a trust school; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: It will be for individual school governing bodies to decide, following consultation with parents and other stakeholders, whether they want to acquire a Trust and choose whom they want to work with to support them. However there will be safeguards. All Trusts must be charities and the consultation will need to set out who the members of the charity will be. Local Authorities will be able to refer plans to acquire a Trust to the Schools Adjudicator if it is clear the school has not consulted properly, or if they are concerned that the acquisition of the trust would have a negative impact on school standards.
	Certain categories of people will not be allowed to be involved in a trust. These will include those disqualified under company or charity law and those who have been disqualified from working with children and young people. If enacted, the Education and Inspections Bill will also put into place other safeguards. It would give the Secretary of State the power to make regulations prescribing requirements as to persons to be disqualified from acting as charity Trustees. In addition, it would give the Secretary of State a reserve power, in prescribed cases, to remove any charity Trustee, even if the person is not otherwise disqualified, and to appoint charity Trustees.

Work Programmes

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) current work programme and (b) funding for 200506 is for (i) the Adult Learning Inspectorate, (ii) Partnership for Schools, (iii) National College of School Leadership, (iv) the Learning and Skills Council, (v) the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services, (vi) the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, (vii) the General Teaching Council and (viii) the Office for Fair Access.

Bill Rammell: Each NDPB's plans for the current year are set out in its corporate plan or annual statement of priorities. I have arranged for copies of the relevant documents to be placed in the House of Commons Library. Table 1 lists the amount of funding given to each organisation.
	
		Table 1: Budgets in 200506
		
			 NDPB  million 
		
		
			 Adult Learning inspectorate 26.7 
			 Partnership for Schools 5.7 
			 National College for School Leadership 86.2 
			 Learning and Skills Council 10,175 
			 Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services 101.5 
			 British Educational Communications and Technology Agency 12.5 
			 General Teaching Council 0.5 
			 Office for Fair Access 0.5 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures rounded to the nearest 100,000.